TAMPA, Fla. -- Troy Tulowitzki is usually pretty stoic, but there were some displays of genuine emotion -- and perhaps even a little bit of frustration -- after he homered against his former team on Monday afternoon.
Tulowitzki hit a leadoff home run off Marcus Stroman in his first at-bat since joining the Yankees on a one-year deal. This wasn't just another Grapefruit League game for Tulowitzki. It was more meaningful than that, and it showed.
The 34-year-old shortstop pumped his fist as he rounded first base after the home run and appeared to yell something in the direction of the Blue Jays dugout. Tulowitzki then looked down as he trotted around the basepaths while screaming a couple of more times in celebration.
"You guys know the story, you know what happened," Tulowitzki told a group of reporters after the Blue Jays’ 3-0 loss. "I mean, no doubt about it. That was definitely extra, extra special. That was the team that basically told me I couldn’t play anymore. It is Spring Training. It is what it. It was a big day for myself."
Tulowitzki was released by the Blue Jays in December despite having two more years and $38 million remaining on his contract. The following month, Tulowitzki signed in New York, where he is expected to assume the full-time duties at shortstop until Didi Gregorius returns from injury.
Tulowitzki hasn't played since July 28, 2017, because of foot and ankle injuries. The latest highlight happened to come against his close friend Stroman. The two occasionally work out together and Stroman understands how much this moment meant to the five-time All-Star.
"I can't tell you how much work he has put in," said Stroman, who allowed two runs over two innings. "I've been with him through a lot of that process, and to see the tedious long days, to see the grind, to see him go through it, is pretty tough. I couldn't be more ecstatic, more happy for someone like him because I've learned so much about the game of baseball and so much about life from that man, and I'm forever grateful for him."
Moving pieces
Add Billy McKinney to the list of Blue Jays players who are being used at more than one position this spring.
McKinney got the start at first base against the Yankees. The 24-year-old wasn't tested in the field but made all of the routine catches and did not look out of place in his debut.
Toronto's coaching staff has spent a lot of time this spring preaching versatility. Devon Travis, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Richard Urena are among the other players who will move around in the coming weeks. The goal is to create a roster with a lot of flexibility.
"It makes it easier for the manager, the more guys can play in different positions," Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo said. "That’s one thing we have here. That’s good for me and the team."
Despite the early reps, it seems unlikely that McKinney will be used at the position much during the regular season. Justin Smoak is the everyday first baseman and if he requires some time on the injured list, prospect Rowdy Tellez should get the call from Triple-A Buffalo.
McKinney might become an option when Smoak needs a day off. Kendrys Morales was the temporary fill-in at first the last two years, but he has limited range and at age 35 it's only going to get worse as time goes on. McKinney helps protect against that if he makes the Opening Day roster and gives Montoyo another option for in-game decisions.
"Thinking about game situations, Smoak is on first in the eighth inning, seventh inning and I need a pinch runner, there goes McKinney and he can play first," Montoyo said.
"I told McKinney that two days ago, ‘Make sure you’re comfortable and then I’ll play you there.’ Because when you go in the game, you’re pinch running because we’re in the game so it might be tight and you’re playing first. He said, 'No, yeah, I’m good.' So he knows that."
Quotable
"There were a lot of people (who) said forget about it. Those people said I would never make it back on a baseball field again. For me, it was extra emotion. It was the biggest Spring Training homer I ever hit. With that being said, yeah I got a little pumped out there. Anybody who tells you, you are done, you are going to have a little extra fire." -- Tulowitzki
Up next
Matt Shoemaker will make his debut when the Blue Jays host the Red Sox on Tuesday afternoon with first pitch scheduled for 1:07 p.m. ET at Dunedin Stadium. Right fielder Randal Grichuk is also expected to make his first appearance of the spring, while top prospect Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is expected to continue his every-other-day routine by starting at third.