MLB notes: Toronto’s Troy Tulowitzki eases back from injury
Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Troy Tulowitzki played catch Tuesday for the first time since suffering a broken left shoulder blade 10 days ago, but there’s still no timetable for his return to the lineup.
“The pain has died down and I feel better each and every day,” Tulowitzki said.
Tulowitzki has been sidelined since colliding with teammate Kevin Pillar during the first game of a Sept. 12 doubleheader at Yankee Stadium. His next steps will be to try making throws on the run and resume hitting.
The five-time All-Star, who throws and bats right-handed, visited a specialist in Boston last week. He rejoined the team Friday and continues to receive treatment from team trainers.
Acquired from Colorado on July 28, Tulowitzki is batting .232 with five homers and 17 RBIs in 39 games since joining Toronto. Overall this season, he has a .278 average with 17 homers and 70 RBIs.
Holland out as Royals closer
Greg Holland is out and Wade Davis is in as the Kansas City Royals’ closer.
With Holland continuing to nurse a sore elbow, Royals manager Ned Yost said that Davis would close games for the remainder of the season and the playoffs.
Holland, an All-Star in 2013 and ’14 when he saved 93 games in 98 chances, has 32 saves in 37 opportunities this year with a 3.83 ERA.
Davis has 13 saves and in 14 opportunities and a 7-1 record with a 0.88 ERA.
Hudson versus Zito
It will be Tim Hudson vs. Barry Zito on Saturday, just as much of the baseball-crazed Bay Area begged for in what could be the last hurrah for the two former Athletics pitchers.
A’s manager Bob Melvin told Zito that he would start against Hudson and the San Francisco Giants at the Coliseum. Zito, who spent the entire season with Triple-A Nashville before his callup last week, might be able to throw around 50 pitches in his first – and, perhaps, last – major league start this year.
Oakland plans to honor its former “Big Three” trio of Hudson, Zito and Mark Mulder in a pregame ceremony Saturday. They will throw out the ceremonial first pitches as a group on Sunday.
The 40-year-old Hudson plans to retire after the season. Zito might join him in calling it a career.
Clearing the bases
A person familiar with the situation says former major league manager Manny Acta interviewed for the Marlins’ managerial job. The interview is the strongest indication yet that current manager Dan Jennings won’t be back in that job next year. … The Phillies announced that Pete Mackanin will be their manager in 2016. Mackanin replaced Ryne Sandberg on an interim basis on June 26. … The Twins promoted one of their top hitting prospects, Max Kepler, from Double-A for the stretch drive. He plays first base and all three outfield positions. … The Tigers sent closer Bruce Rondon home for the remainder of the season. Tigers manager Brad Ausmus gave little explanation, only saying that Rondon had been sent home because of his “effort level.”