Comeback underway for Didi

TAMPA — Didi Gregorius began his throwing program Monday. The Yankees shortstop said he threw 25 times from 60 feet before doing some light tosses on the infield during drills at the minorleague complex. Gregorius is coming off Tommy John surgery in October after hurting his right elbow during the ALDS.

“It felt pretty good,” Gregorius said as he left the complex. “Pretty good.”

Gregorius was out on the field taking grounders alongside the Yankees’ insurance policy against any possible delays in his rehab: former All-Star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki.

The Yankees signed Tulowitzki, who missed all of last season with injuries, at a major-league minimum as a fill-in for Gregorius, who is not expected back until June or July.

Gregorius said Tulowitzki looked good out there on Monday.

“Up close? As in the same team? He’s pretty good,” Gregorius said of playing with Tulowitzki. “I’ve played against the guy for a while, so I know what he is capable of.”

The Yankees made a low-risk, high-reward signing in Tulowitzki, who was released by the Blue Jays in December. The Blue Jays are paying the last year of his fiveyear, $100 million contract. If the veteran is able to return to the level of a serviceable major-league shortstop, the Yankees won’t have to move Gleyber Torres off second base to fill in for the first half of the season. If Tulowitzki doesn’t work out, the Yankees are on the hook for only a minimal salary.