Yankees Sign Tulowitzki As Possible Didi Fill-In

Troy Tulowitzki.

The Yankees announced on Friday afternoon that they have signed shortstop Troy Tulowitzki to a one-year Major League contract.

Arguably the best shortstop in Major League Baseball at one time, Tulowitzki, 34, is the perfect option to fill in at shortstop for Didi Gregorius, who is having Tommy John surgery and is expected out until June or July.


The one concern in bringing in Tulowitzky is that he missed the entire 2018 season with bone spurs in his right and left heels, so how he will recover from that is a big question.

Tulowitzki last played for the Blue Jays in 2017 when he appeared in 66 games, batting .249 (60-for-241) with 16R, 10 doubles, 7HR and 26RBI.

A big Derek Jeter fan growing up, Tulowitzki has always worn Number 2 throughout his career in homage to the Yankees legendary shortstop, and made it a point to attend one of The Captain's final games at Yankee Stadium in 2014.

The Santa Clara, Calif., native played his first 10 seasons with the Colorado Rockies, making five NL All-Star teams (2010-11, ’13-15) and winning two Gold Gloves (2010-11) and two Silver Slugger Awards (2010-11). He was acquired by the Toronto Blue Jays with RHP LaTroy Hawkins from the Rockies on July 27, 2015 in exchange for SS Jose Reyes, RHP Jeff Hoffman, RHP Miguel Castro and RHP Jesus Tinoco.

During his 12-year Major League career, Tulowitzki has batted .290/.361/.495 (1,389-for-4,793) with 761R, 263 doubles, 224HR, 779RBI and 509BB in 1,286 games with the Rockies (2006-15) and Blue Jays (2015-17). His .985 fielding percentage (91E/5,916TC) is the second-highest in baseball history among shortstops (min. 650 games).

Tulowitzki was originally drafted by the Rockies in the first round (seventh overall) of the 2005 First-Year Player Draft.

To make room for Tulowitzki on the 40-man roster, the Yankees designated RHP A.J. Cole for assignment.