The Yankees have added an infielder.
New York agreed to a deal with free agent Troy Tulowitzki on Tuesday, according to a report from ESPN, which cites unidentified league sources. The Blue Jays released the 34-year-old former star in mid-December.
Tulowitzki is expected to play shortstop while New York starter Didi Gregorius recovers from Tommy John surgery, which he underwent in mid-October, according to the report. The move will not prevent the team from continuing its pursuit of star Manny Machado, the report says.
Troy Tulowitzki is expected to play shortstop for the Yankees while Didi Gregorius recovers from Tommy John surgery. Important: This does not take the Yankees out of the Manny Machado sweepstakes, sources tell ESPN. Tulowitzki at the minimum salary was simply too good to pass up.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 2, 2019
Tulowitzki missed all of last season after undergoing ankle surgery in April. He was limited to just 66 games in 2017 because of the ankle issue and slashed.249/.300/.378 that year.
The five-time All-Star began his career with the Rockies in 2006 and played in Colorado until he was traded to the Blue Jays in July 2015. He had $38 million remaining on his contract when he was released by Toronto.
The Yankees finished 2018 with a 100-62 record and advanced to the ALDS, where they fell to the Red Sox in four games.