It looks like Tulo isn’t going to be ready for Opening Day

Ah yes, the news we’ve all been expecting. John Gibbons told Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet that the team doesn’t expect shortstop Troy Tulowitzki to be ready for Opening Day against the Yankees.

When everyone rolled into to camp back in mid-February, it was reported that Tulo was dealing with bone spurs in his heel. The team suggested he would be ready fop Opening Day, but anybody who knows this team and this player knew deep down that it wasn’t going to happen.

But this is why the front office went hard over the winter to stockpile depth up the middle. Unlike previous years, we won’t be watching Darwin Barney and Ryan Goins fill in for the oft-injured Tulowitzki, instead, Aledmys Diaz can slide into the starting shortstop role while Gift Ngoepe, who’s looked quite good in spring, can be backup.

It’s obviously ideal that Tulo is healthy and playing shortstop every day, but this Jays team is built for both Tulo and Devon Travis to miss time due to injury. It’s unfortunate, but it’s the reality, and it’s critical that the Jays came prepared this year.