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SPORTS Tuesday 8 January 2019

Long and short of it: Tulowitzki happy if Yanks add Machado

By RONALD BLUM “They were kind of headed ten me off and said that
AP Baseball Writer in a different direction than at times maybe I’m done,”
NEW YORK (AP) — Troy Tu- I wanted to go,” Tulowitzki he said. “There’s no doubt
lowitzki would be happy if said. “They were going to about it, there’s a chip on
the New York Yankees add go young and commit to my shoulder but I would say
Manny Machado to their the young players.” my whole career I’ve kind
infield, even if the move A five-time All-Star, Tulowitz- of played that way and
costs the 34-year-old short- ki has not played in the ma- been that type of personal-
stop playing time. jor leagues since July 2017. ity.” He idolized Derek Jeter
“Hey, I signed up to be a He started feeling problems growing up, even wearing
Yankee because I wanted with his heels around the the No. 2 of the retired Yan-
to play with the best play- time of his trade from Colo- kees captain. He also emu-
ers,” Tulowitzki said during rado to Toronto in July 2015 lated Cal Ripken Jr. and
a conference call Mon- and spent last year recov- Nomar Garciaparra.
day. “So if Manny is one ering from April 2 surgery on “The first thing that I think
of those guys, then I think both heels. about when I think about
that would be awesome. It “I think it did allow me to hit Derek is his presence on
would make the team that that refresh button with my and off the field,” Tulowitzki
much stronger.” body and really catch up in said. “I definitely saw that
If Machado signs with the some areas where I was just from afar as a young kid
Yankees as a high-priced taking the field and con- and tried to do those same
free agent, he presumably stantly not being able to be things ... and then when he
would take over at third myself and be confident in did have all the success,
base. Tulowitzki is projected my body at times,” he said. too, he didn’t let it get to
to start in an infield with He doesn’t think he was full his head.”
Miguel Andujar at third, In this July 20, 2016, file photo, Toronto Blue Jays’ Troy Tulowitzki fit until October. Notes: New York agreed to
Gleyber Torres at second throws out Arizona Diamondbacks’ Brandon Drury during the “I started to say, oh, man, a minor league contract
and Luke Voit or Greg Bird fourth inning of an interleague baseball game, in Phoenix. I’m feeling a lot better and with 29-year-old switch-
at first. The Yankees need- Associated Press excited about the upcom- hitting outfielder Billy Burns,
ed a replacement for Didi lineup, Tulowitzki might not kees for the major league ing year,” he said. who will report to big
Gregorius, who is recover- get many at-bats. minimum $555,000. That will Tulowitzki topped .300 or league spring training. The
ing from Tommy John sur- “A lot can happen in that be offset against the $20 better four times from 2010- speedster hit .255 last year
gery on his right elbow and time,” Tulowitzki said. “So million he is owed by Toron- 14 and 90 RBIs from 2009-11, in 102 games for Triple-A
is not expected back until when that time comes, to, which released him last boosted by hitter-friendly Omaha with nine doubles,
June, July or August. we’ll deal with that.” month. The Blue Jays also Coors Field. four homers, 10 steals and
When Gregorius returns, Sidelined by heel injuries are responsible for $14 mil- “There’s some extra moti- 36 RBIs. He has a .270 aver-
Tulowitzki might have a re- since July 2017, Tulowitzki lion in salary for 2020 plus a vation, definitely, with what age with 55 RBIs in 242 big
duced role. If Machado agreed last week to a one- $4 million buyout of a 2021 I’ve been through. I think league games over four
and Gregorius are in the year contract with the Yan- team option. a lot of people have writ- seasons.q

Cavaliers Love Update team goes,” he said. “It’s
just tough when you have
several players out, veter-
Continued from Page 17 possible return. However, it ans out and some of your
now appears he could be top players that give you so
Love has begun shooting out until February. much on both sides of the
and been “up on the toes One thing is certain: Love ball. I would just hope to
a little bit” but not running. has no intention of sitting come back, whether it be
He’s listening to his doctors out the season. right before All-Star break,
and his body. “That’s never really been after All-Star break, just get
“I don’t know when I’ll be the thought process — at things to start trending in
able to go one-on-one, least for me,” said Love, the right direction and give
two-on-two, three-on- who recently visited his sur- the fans and this organiza-
three, but I think that’s all geon in New York. “I want tion some hope for better
part of the next few weeks to play. I want to be out times that are going to be
I’d say,” he said. there with those guys. I here.” Love’s injury could
The 30-year-old played in feel like I would be letting complicate things if the
just four games before un- my teammates down, and Cavaliers intend to trade
dergoing surgery to have letting (coach) L.D. (Larry him. As he leaned on a
cartilage removed and Drew) and the coaching wall inside the training fa-
fluid drained from around staff down if I didn’t get In this May 21, 2018, file photo, Cleveland Cavaliers’ Kevin Love cility, Love smiled when
(0) drives around Boston Celtics’ Al Horford (42) during the first
his left big toe. He got hurt out there and play and get half of Game 4 of the NBA basketball Eastern Conference finals reminded that the trade
in Cleveland’s exhibition out there and play as soon in Cleveland. deadline is approaching.
opener and tried to play as I could — so long as I’m Associated Press His name has been linked
through the pain before it healthy.” with Indiana. Cleveland Cavs expected after sign- to numerous deals almost
got tough for him to walk. The Cavaliers need him has lost its last five home ing Love to a four-year, since the day he arrived
Following the surgery, the badly. games by at least 20 points $120 million contract exten- in 2014. He doesn’t expect
Cavs initially thought Love At 8-32, they have the — a league record — and sion after LeBron James left that to change.
might be back by the end NBA’s worst record and lost a slew of injuries has made as a free agent. “We’ll see. If not, we will
of December, and he had nine straight games going things tougher. “It’s a big setback, not in wait until summer,” Love
targeted mid-January as a into Tuesday’s matchup This isn’t the season the my career, but as far as our said of a possible trade. q