Jose Iglesias doesn’t have an explanation for the gap year on his major league résumé.

The veteran infielder was coming off a solid 2022 season for the Rockies, but at 33 years old, his options were sparse as spring training approached last year. There was a minor league deal with the Marlins from which he opted out before Opening Day. A minor league stint with the Padres followed. Finally, on June 19 of last year, after playing 28 games for Triple-A El Paso, Iglesias had seen enough and opted out from his contract with the Padres for a second time. He had first opted out in late May, but re-signed with the team.

“I just told them that I’m not a minor league player,” Iglesias told Sports+ this week. “I had a really good month over there, and I said, ‘Guys, I can help a big league team and can’t afford to be in the minors.’ They understood.”

He returned home awaiting an offer that never arrived.