Toronto Blue Jays: Troy Tulowitzki already injured
Death. Taxes. Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Troy Tulowitzki getting injured. These things are a given. This year, Tulowitzki got a head start on his annual injury issues.
Considering that Troy Tulowitzki has not played in over 130 games since 2011, it is understandable that the Toronto Blue Jays would have acquired more infield depth. Aledmys Diaz had been acquired in the trade, giving Toronto a viable backup in case of the inevitable Tulowitzki injury.
This year, Tulowitzki is ahead of his usual pace. As he is working back from an ankle injury that helped hold him to only 66 games last year, he has aggravated the bone spurs in his right heel. As of this point, the Blue Jays are expecting that he will not need surgery, but this is Tulowitzki, after all.
Troy Tulowitzki aggravated a chronic bone spur on his right heel while conditioning after spraining his ankle last year. #BlueJays will treat him conservatively with no surgery. Will monitor him during spring
— Ben Nicholson-Smith (@bnicholsonsmith) February 15, 2018
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Even when he has been on the field, Tulowitzki has struggled. Since being acquired by Toronto, he has posted a .250/.313/.414 batting line with 36 homers and 39 doubles. Last season was particularly abysmal, as he hit at a .249/.300/378 clip, with only seven homers. He is certainly not the player he once was.
However, the Blue Jays are stuck with him. As promising as Diaz may have looked in St. Louis, Tluowitzki’s contract may well win out. As the oft injured shortstop is due another $58 million, at minimum, over the next three seasons, it is difficult to imagine that he would not be in the lineup if healthy.
Of course, that is a big if. Tulowitzki has appeared in 140 or more games in a season only three times over the course of his 12 year career. Based on how he is already day to day and being monitored by the Blue Jays staff, that does not appear set to change this year.
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The first Spring Training games have yet to be played, but Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Troy Tulowitzki is already hurt. This really should not be a surprise.