Blue Jays shortstop Troy Tulowitzki on disabled list with hamstring issue

The Toronto Blue Jays are off to a bad start, and now shortstop Troy Tulowitzki has been placed on the disabled list.

Heading into Saturday night’s game against the Los Angeles Angels, the Toronto Blue Jays have a major league-worst 4-12 record. A feeble offense has been mostly to blame, but injuries are starting to pile up with third baseman Josh Donaldson (calf), starting pitchers Aaron Sanchez (finger) and J.A. Happ (elbow) and bullpen piece J.P. Howell (shoulder) on the disabled list right now.

Blue Jays shortstop Troy Tulowitzki removed himself from Friday night’s extra inning win over the Angels in the eighth inning with a right hamstring issue, which put his status going forward into doubt. The five-time All-Star is hitting .263 with one home run and a team-leading 10 RBI, but the Blue Jays are taking no unnecessary chances with an injury that could easily linger.

Tulowitzki has been placed on the 10-day disabled list with a strained right hamstring, which may be the one body part he hasn’t injured in recent years. He has played 128 and 131 games in the last two seasons, but over the last five seasons he has averaged less than 105 games played per campaign. A litany of injuries over that time include a strained left groin, a fractured rib, a strained left hip flexor and a strained right quad. Tulowitzki even cited his lack of history with hamstring issues.

"“First time, so I don’t really know what to expect,” Tulowitzki said. “Nothing to gauge it off of here. I’m not sure [about the disabled list]. See when I wake up if it’s sore and how I’m doing walking. It’s definitely sore.”"

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A minimum stint on the disabled list for Tulowitzki would be good news for the Blue Jays, but it’s hard to be incredibly hopeful at this point. As for who will replace him, Ryan Goins got the start at shortstop for Toronto Saturday night.