Jays part ways with Tulowitzki

Troy Tulowitzki has been released by the Toronto Blue Jays, who owe the oft-injured shortstop $38 million for the remaining two years of his contract.

Now 34, Tulowitzki has not played in the major leagues since July 2017. He was limited that year to 66 games because of a hamstring and right ankle injury. The ankle required surgery last spring and he missed the entire season.

Tulowitzki was taken by Colorado with the seventh overall pick in the 2005 amateur draft and became a five-time AllStar. The Rockies agreed after the 2010 season to a $157.75 million, 10-year contract that added $132 million over seven seasons, then traded him in July 2015 to Toronto in a deal that brought shortstop Jose Reyes to Colorado.

While Tulowitzki helped the Blue Jays reach that year’s AL Championship Series, he slumped the next year and then was derailed by injuries.

He is owed $20 million for next year, $14 million for 2020 and a $4 million buyout of the 2021 team option.

MCCUTCHEN SIGNS WITH PHILLIES >> All-Star outfielder Andrew McCutchen and the Phillies have agreed to a $50 million, three-year contract.

The 32-year-old McCutchen was an All-Star each season from 201115, topping .300 in batting average from 201214.

He was the NL MVP in 2013.

McCutchen nine years with Pittsburgh before he was traded to San Francisco last winter. He was dealt to the Yankees on Aug. 31 and hit .255 with 20 homers and 65 RBI in 155 games overall this year.

McCutchen has 223 homers, a .287 average and 790 RBI in 10 major-league seasons.

Philadelphia remains interested in Bryce Harper, the top free agent on the market, but has a surplus of outfielders, including Odubel Herrera, Nick Williams, Aaron Altherr and Roman Quinn.

Rhys Hoskins is moving from left field to first base after the team traded Carlos Santana to Seattle for infielder Jean Segura last week.

NFL

GORDON GAMETIME DECISION >> Melvin Gordon wants to suit up for the Chargers’ biggest game of the season Thursday night at Kansas City, but he says his status will likely not be decided until 90 minutes before kickoff.

The fourth-year running back has missed the past two games after spraining the MCL in his right knee during the second half of the Chargers’ Nov. 26 win against Arizona.

He is sixth in the AFC in rushing with 802 yards despite missing three games and leads the conference in rushing average per game (80.2).

Gordon said he is stronger and confident about the knee, but he acknowledges that it will not be 100 percent if he plays against the Chiefs.

He was listed as limited on the team’s Tuesday practice report, which was the first time he has participated in a practice since the injury.

“We need all the playmakers we need to beat KC,” he said. “We have so much at stake right now and I want to help I can. If I can’t go out there and be me and can’t make my cuts I don’t want to be out there.”