TAMPA, Fla. — Former Blue Jays shortstop Troy Tulowitzki homered against his old team in his first at-bat since July 2017, leading the New York Yankees to a 3-0 win over Toronto in spring training action on Monday.
Tulowitzki sent Marcus Stroman's second pitch of the day over the right-field wall.
Tulowitzki — released by the Jays this off-season with two years and US$34 million remaining on his contract along with a $4-million buyout on a $15-million club option for 2021 — was plagued by hamstring and ankle injuries during his time with Toronto. After he was cut, he signed a one-year deal with the Yankees for the major league minimum $555,000.
Stroman gave up three hits — including another home run to Kyle Higashioka — and two runs in a two-inning spring debut as Toronto fell to 0-3.
Left-hander James Paxton of Ladner, B.C., started for the Yankees in his New York debut, holding the Jays hitless, while walking two and striking out a pair in two innings. The Seattle Mariners traded Paxton to the Yankees during the off-season.
The Jays managed just one hit — a single by outfielder Teoscar Hernandez — on the day against six Yankees pitchers.
Toronto returns to its spring home in Dunedin, Fla., to face the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday.
The Canadian Press
