March 27, 2012 at 11:58 AM
Iglesias, Anderson optioned, three others reassigned
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| Jose Iglesias (Kelly O'Connor) |
The Red Sox have announced that shortstop Jose Iglesias and first baseman Lars Anderson have been optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket. They have also reassigned right-handed pitchers Justin Germano and Doug Mathis and outfielder Josh Kroeger to minor league camp.
The demotion of Iglesias means that Mike Aviles will begin the season as the Red Sox starting shortstop. Iglesias is highly advanced defensively, and scouts view him as a likely Gold Glove winner, but he struggled offensively in his first season at Triple-A Pawtucket hitting only .235/.285/.269. Iglesias made some improvements in the second half of the year, hitting .250/.304/.313 after the All-Star break, and he impressed manager Bobby Valentine in Spring Training with his work ethic. The Red Sox likely want the 22-year-old to continue making those gains playing every day against Triple-A pitching.
Anderson, who will join Iglesias in Pawtucket's infield, enjoyed a strong spring, batting .343/.425/.543 in 40 plate appearances.
The moves leave the Red Sox with 41 players in camp, including two on the 60-day disabled list.