Blue Jays' Tulowitzki returns to No. 5 spot for ALDS opener

After spending his last two games of the regular season near the bottom of the Toronto Blue Jays' lineup, shortstop Troy Tulowitzki will return to the No. 5 spot for Thursday's ALDS opener against the Texas Rangers at Rogers Centre.

Tulowitzki, the five-time All-Star acquired by the Blue Jays in July, missed more than three weeks after suffering a cracked right scapula Sept. 12, returning just in time for the final series of the regular season. Though he was bumped to the seventh spot in the lineup for last weekend's series in Tampa Bay, he went 3-for-8 with a pair of doubles in two games against the Rays, prompting manager John Gibbons to move him up a couple slots for the ALDS opener.

Earlier this week, the 30-year-old admitted there's still some discomfort in his shoulder, but he is likely looking forward to facing Yovani Gallardo on Thursday afternoon nonetheless. In 28 career plate appearances against the veteran right-hander, Tulowitzki boasts a .407/.429/.667 line with one home run and four doubles.