Troy Tulowitzki Will Have Surgery to Remove Heel Spurs; out 8 Weeks with Injury

The Toronto Blue Jays will be without shortstop Troy Tulowitzki for considerable time at the start of the 2018 season.

According to the Associated Press (h/t Sports Illustrated), general manager Ross Atkins said Tulowitzki will miss eight weeks after a Monday surgery to remove bone spurs from both heels. The AP noted the bone spurs have been an issue as Tulowitzki recovered from the surgery he needed for ligament damage after stepping on C.J. Cron's foot in July.

He stepped on Cron's foot in a July 28 loss to the Los Angeles Angels, which is the last time he took the field in a regular-season contest.

Health has been a major issue throughout Tulowitzki's career, as he played just 66 games last season, 131 games in 2016, 128 games in 2015, 91 games in 2014, 126 games in 2013, 47 games in 2012, 143 games in 2011 and 122 games in 2010.

When he is on the field, the shortstop has proven to be a valuable power hitter in the middle of the order for the Colorado Rockies and Blue Jays. He drilled 24 home runs in 2016 for Toronto, the seventh time in his career he notched more than 20 long balls in a season. The five-time All-Star has two Silver Sluggers on his resume as a result of his bat.

He is also a formidable fielder with two Gold Gloves to his name, but Toronto will have to look elsewhere at shortstop until Tulowitzki is ready to return.

Look for Aledmys Diaz and Gift Ngoepe to handle shortstop duties with the starter sidelined.