Shortstop

1. Troy Tulowitzki, Blue Jays
2. Xander Bogaerts, Red Sox
3. J.J. Hardy, Orioles
4. Didi Gregorius (injured)/Ronald Torreyes, Yankees
5. Matt Duffy (injured)/Tim Beckham, Rays

You’ll have to forgive AL East shortstops if they’re nervously looking over their shoulders — two of them (Gregorius and Duffy) have been hit with injuries that will put them out of commission on Opening Day. Gregorius suffered a shoulder strain March 18 that could sideline him until May, while Duffy is recovering from last September’s Achilles surgery. They’ll be replaced with a motley crew of utility infielders in their absence.

Tulowitzki is no stranger to injuries himself, having logged plenty of DL time in his career, but he’s healthy for now and is still the best all-around shortstop in the division. Boston’s Bogaerts had a breakout season with the bat in 2016, though he struggled a bit with the leather. That’s not a problem for Hardy, a three-time Gold Glover, but his days as an above-average hitter are seemingly over.

Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6