BOSTON -- The appearance of shortstop Jose Iglesias in the Red Sox clubhouse this afternoon was something of a surprise, though it's possible that his visit to the big leagues could be a short-term one.
The Sox brought up Iglesias Tuesday and optioned pitcher Junichi Tazawa to make room for him on the roster.
"Kevin Youkilis is stiff again, his back is stiff,'' explained Bobby Valentine. "With the rainy, wet and cold playing conditions and the roster situation, I didn't think it was fair for the team to play so short in the infield. So we have a backup in case we need it.''
Youkilis has missed the last three games with soreness in his lower back, with Nick Punto playing third base all three games.
"I was with him in the training room and there are times when it's pretty sore,'' said Valentine. "Different movements. He's doing everything he can in the training room. He's doing everything he can. Other opinions, or any of that stuff, I'm not sure where we are on that.
"It seems like he has a situation that we just have to get over.''
That would seem to indicate that Youkilis might be headed to the DL. That could happen later Tuesday or sometime in the next day or so, should the Red Sox -- as has been widely speculated -- add Aaron Cook to the major league roster.
Asked of Youkilis might be a candidate for the DL soon, Valentine answered: "I can't tell.''
As for how long Iglesias might remain with the club, Valentine said: "It's a funny thing. When you get to the big leagues, it's not always how you plan for guys to be used. Sometimes guys get in and they never leave. Sometimes guys plan to stay forever and they're gone in two weeks.
"Let's say he's here and we'll use him. But it could be short.''
Meanwhile, Valentine emphasized that Tazawa's option to Pawtucket was not a relfection of how he'd pitched, but rather, the fact that he has options remaining.
"This is not a situation based on performance,'' he said. "This is based on his contract.''