Orioles, Tigers swap Alex Gonzalez for Steve Lombardozzi

The Detroit Tigers have acquired shortstop Alex Gonzalez from the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for infielder Steve Lombardozzi, as Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun first reported.

Gonzalez, 37, heads to Detroit as a potential replacement for Jose Iglesias, who is expected to miss most of the regular season with shin injuries. He is the second shortstop that the Tigers have acquired in minor deals in the last few days, joining Andrew Romine, who came over from the Angels in exchange for left-hander Jose Alvarez on Friday.

In twelve spring training games with Baltimore this year, Gonzalez hit .429 with 2 HR and 6 RBI. He only appeared in 41 games with the Brewers last year before missing most of the season due to injury, and could start with Triple-A Toledo if the Tigers decide not to put him on their Opening Day roster.

Lombardozzi, 25, was acquired by the Tigers from Washington in the Doug Fister trade in December. He is a lifetime .264 hitter with 5 HR and 50 RBI in 257 career major league games, and has experience playing second base, shortstop, third base and left field in his major league career. He is the third infielder to be acquired by the Orioles in the last few days, joining David Adams, who was claimed from the Indians, and Brett Wallace, who was signed as a free agent.

With this move, the Tigers' haul for Fister virtually becomes Gonzalez and left-handers Robbie Ray and Ian Krol in a move that still baffles many.