Tulowitzki working on return to lineup
Don’t include Blue Jays manager John Gibbons as a guy who doesn’t care if 33-yearold shortstop Troy Tulowitzki makes it back to the team this season.
Tulowitzki has missed the entire season with bone spurs in his right heel and was placed on the DL three times the last two seasons because of different ailments. He only played 66 games in 2017. The Jays announced Friday that Tulowitzki is going through a running progression in Dunedin, Fla., and performing all baseball activities, but with no timeline on game play.
“I’d like to see him (here this season),” said Gibbons. “I think for his own good.”
Given his age, his recent injury history, the drop-off in his range at short and the fact that the Jays are embarking on a rebuild, the question has to be asked as to whether it’s worth bringing Tulowitzki back this year, even if he is relatively healthy. This season is already a wash for the Jays, so why not see what Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Richard Urena and, down the road a bit, Bo Bichette can do at this level at the shortstop position.
“They’ll play,” said Gibbons of the prospects. “But Tulo signed up here for a couple of years, right? He’s still part of the team right now. There’s always a way to find time for those young guys.”
The Jays are paying Tulowitzki $20 million this season and next, $14 million in 2020 and have to pay him $4-million buyout in 2021 when they don’t pick up the club option. At those prices, the Jays are likely stuck with the Santa Clara, Calif., native.
INJURY UPDATES
Marco Estrada (left glute strain) threw a bullpen on Friday in preparation for his next scheduled start (Monday at Rogers Centre) against the Minnesota Twins.
“I think he should be good (to start),” said Gibbons.
Centre-fielder Kevin Pillar (right sternoclavicular joint) is progressing well and has begun range-of-motion and strengthening activities. He will be with the team through the homestand and re-evaluated prior to the Jays leaving on a 10-day road trip, which begins July 27 in Chicago.
AROUND THE HORN
Left-fielder Teoscar Hernandez has had 41 of his 78 hits this season (heading into Friday’s game) go for extra bases (20 doubles, six triples, 15 home runs). The 52.6 per cent extra-base hit rate is fourth highest in the majors. ... Gibbons said that GM Ross Atkins has come down to the manager’s office quite often this season to discuss possible moves and trades. “Which I appreciate,” said Gibbons. “Just kind of lets me know what could change here in the next (few) days, weeks.”