NEW YORK -- Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki was held out of the Blue Jays' starting lineup for Wednesday night's game against the Yankees with a tight right quad, but he is not expected to require a stint on the disabled list.
Tulowitzki is considered day to day after tweaking the leg while stealing second base during the seventh inning of Tuesday night's 6-0 loss to the Yankees. It's possible that Tulowitzki will miss the series finale on Thursday afternoon, but he should not need much more time off than that.
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The injury to Tulowitzki led the Blue Jays to activate second baseman Devon Travis from the disabled list a couple of days earlier than expected. For now, Toronto will carry four middle infielders on its roster, but that will change as soon as Tulowitzki is ready to go.
"He told me he woke up a little sore, but it was much better than he thought it would be," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said of Tulowitzki on Wednesday afternoon. "So you won't see him tonight, and we'll just kind of see how he is tomorrow."
Once Tulowitzki is cleared to play, the Blue Jays will have to decide whether Ryan Goins or Darwin Barney will become the odd man out. Both infielders have Minor League options remaining on their contracts, but with Travis now healthy, there is no longer room for both on the 25-man roster.
Loup's time coming soon
Left-hander Aaron Loup made his second rehab appearance for Triple-A Buffalo on Tuesday night and allowed one hit in a scoreless inning. It was the fifth appearance overall for Loup, who has not allowed a run since his first game for Class A Advanced Dunedin on May 14.
Loup is expected to be activated from the DL in the near future. He has yet to appear in a big league game this season because of a strained flexor tendon in his left elbow, but the injury appears to be a thing of the past.
Toronto will return to a seven-man bullpen later this week once Tulowitzki is cleared to play. Goins or Barney will then be optioned to the Minors, opening up an additional spot for a reliever. All indications are that pitcher will be Loup.
"They say he feels good, and they say he looks good," Gibbons said. "He has been a part of this, so I'm sure we'll see him some time in the near future, I would think. He could be that guy when we send somebody out."