TAMPA — After his first three games of the spring, Troy Tulowitzki was 3-for-6 with a double and a pair of homers, seemingly scoffing at those who doubted whether he’d be able to regain the form he had as a five-time All-Star before being slowed by injuries.
But in the four games since that hot start, the 34-year-old, who missed all of last season following surgery on both heels, has gone in the other direction, going 0-for-11 with eight strikeouts.
So, which player did the Yankees sign to the veteran’s minimum salary after he was released by the Blue Jays in December?
It depends on who you ask.
One scout who has seen him play this spring said Tulowitzki is “struggling with the bat, but [I] don’t see anything yet about mobility.’’
Another countered, “He’s slowing down as we go [with both] bat speed and range.’’
Time will tell, as the Yankees are committed to giving Tulowitzki a shot at short while Didi Gregorius recovers from offseason Tommy John surgery.
Aaron Boone was still firmly in Tulowitzki’s corner after another hitless performance on Sunday.
“He’s just a little late [on pitches],’’ Boone said after the game at George M. Steinbrenner Field. “He’s facing big-time velocity. He’ll get there — I’m convinced of that — timing-wise. He needs reps now.”
The Yankees were off Monday, but Tulowitzki will be tested again soon to see if the last few games have been typical spring doldrums or an early cause for concern.
With Luis Severino and CC Sabathia both set to begin the season on the injured list, pitchers like Luis Cessa, Domingo German and Jonathan Loaisiga will play an even more important role in April, if not beyond.
Cessa pitched well in his last start, holding a ramshackle Baltimore lineup to just a single in four shutout innings. Loaisiga will get his next shot Tuesday when the Yankees host the Orioles at 6:35 p.m.
Loaisiga opened eyes last season when he pitched very well in two of his first three starts in June, holding the Rays and Phillies scoreless over a combined 10 ¹/₃ innings after coming up from Double-A Trenton to fill in for the injured Masahiro Tanaka.
The right-hander, though, was eventually sidelined by a shoulder injury and was not as effective in a reliever role following a September call-up and has allowed five runs in seven innings over three appearances this spring.
“He’s flashed electric stuff,’’ Boone said. “We really like his work and where he’s at. He has a good feel for three pitches. He kind of jumped on our radar last spring in a big way and continues to [stay there].”
Aaron Hicks was expected to have his stiff lower back examined by a doctor Monday. He’s missed over a week with the injury and Boone said Sunday that Hicks was unlikely to play Tuesday, regardless of the results, since the team wants him to get more work in first. Hicks recently signed a seven-year, $70 million extension.
DJ LeMahieu is just 5-for-24 with one extra-base hit, but he’s not concerned.
“I feel good,’’ LeMahieu said. “It’s just the dog days of spring.”
He’s due to play first base for the first time with the Yankees this week, perhaps on Thursday in Dunedin against the Blue Jays. So far, he’s split time between second and third base. Adjusting to making the throw from third has been a particular focus for LeMahieu this spring.
LeMahieu said he didn’t expect to play much first base, but with the Yankees expected to carry only one full-time first baseman, he could end up there on occasion.
Greg Bird and Luke Voit have both played well this spring, with Bird going 8-for-23 with three doubles and a homer, while Voit is 5-for-19 with a pair of homers.
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