While his musical career has been thriving, Iglesias’ baseball career has been on hold since last year, when he played 112 games for the San Diego Padres.<\/p>\n
Iglesias, now 36, became a free agent after last season and hasn’t played since. Baseball took a back burner to music as spring turned to summer, leaving many to assume Iglesias considers himself retired from the sport.<\/p>\n
Not so fast.<\/p>\n
In a recent interview with Craig Melvin, Iglesias said he hasn’t submitted his official retirement papers to MLB, and would consider playing again \u2014\u00a0but only for two teams, the Padres or New York Mets.<\/p>\n
Jose Iglesias, 36, told Craig Melvin this week that he feels \u201cgood\u201d and would only play for the Mets or Padres. He has not officially retired. <\/p>\n
\u201cIf that phone rings\u2026 I\u2019ll be there\u2026 I\u2019m in that stage in my life where, not just to play, but to play for something.\u201d pic.twitter.com\/I838nKkfLI<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Dan Bartels (@DanBartels2) October 4, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n “If that phone rings,” he said, “I’ll be there. <\/p>\n “I’m in that stage in my life where, not just to play, but to play for something.”<\/p>\n It’s perhaps worth noting that the Padres never called Iglesias’ agent \u2014 or at least offered a contract to his liking \u2014 despite ample needs on the infield as they chased down a wild-card berth in 2026.<\/p>\n Second baseman Jake Cronenworth was concussed early in the season<\/a>, and often ineffective at the plate when healthy. His backups,\u00a0Sung-Mun Song and Will Wagner, offered little upside<\/a> at the plate. Luis Rengifo caught fire after he was picked up on waivers at midseason, but he suffered a season-ending injury<\/a> after 38 games.<\/p>\n Cronenworth’s bat came around eventually, but the Padres’ apparent lack of interest in Iglesias in the meantime suggests he might find a better opportunity in New York.<\/p>\n The Mets, however, traded fan favorites Jeff McNeil and Brandon Nimmo before enduring a disastrous last-place season in the National League East. The success of “OMG”<\/a> catapulted Iglesias to fan-favorite status in Queens two years ago. Fans also loved that Iglesias hit .337 in 85 games for the Mets that year, but that did nothing to ensure his return.<\/p>\n Two years later, the odds of Iglesias playing another major league game \u2014\u00a0for the Mets, Padres or anyone \u2014 have only dimmed, but the slick-fielding veteran isn’t ready to blow out the candle on his career.<\/p>\n Sign up for our free newsletter<\/a> and follow us on Facebook<\/a> and X\/Twitter<\/a> for the latest news.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/assets.minutemediacdn.com\/platform\/google_discover_icon.svg\"){kind=icon}
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