Blue Jays open season today, at home to rival Yankees

The Toronto Blue Jays begin their 2018 season today with a home game against the New York Yankees.

Here are a few storylines to watch as the year gets underway:

STARTING WITHOUT TULO

With Troy Tulowitzki not ready to return from his ankle injury, newcomer Aledmys Diaz will take the reigns as the starting shortstop in his absence.

Tulowitzki suffered the injury last July and there’s no timetable for his return, so Diaz could get plenty of playing time. Toronto acquired Diaz in an off-season trade with the St. Louis Cardinals.

SANCHEZ LOOKS SHARP

The Blue Jays’ 2017 playoff hopes took a hit early when starter Aaron Sanchez developed a blister in spring training that took him out for most of the season.

The 25-year-old right-hander seems to have completely healed from the issue — he wasn’t limited at all in spring training — and his continued health will be key for Toronto’s success this year.

Sanchez led the American League in earned-run average (3.00) in a stellar 2016 campaign that saw the Blue Jays make it to the AL Championship Series for a second straight year. He was 1-3 with a 4.25 ERA through just 36 innings in 2017, when Toronto missed the post-season.

NO MORE JOSE

Toronto will have a new face in right field for the first time in nearly a decade when Randal Grichuk makes his Blue Jays debut. Needing a replacement for departing slugger Jose Bautista, the Jays acquired Grichuk in an off-season trade with the Cardinals.