BOSTON – Wearing a pinstriped Yankees jersey, Troy Tulowitzki savored every step of his spring training home run trot five months ago, his first at-bat in a big-league uniform since July 2017.

It was a personal triumph over a string of devastating injuries and a jab at anyone who doubted his comeback attempt.

Tulowitzki made it to the Bronx and homered again in a regular season Yankees game, but the injuries and the setbacks piled up quickly and the five-time All-Star shortstop eventually went home to Nevada.

“I knew it was probably going that way,’’ Yankees manager Aaron Boone said on Thursday, after Tulowitzki announced his retirement from baseball at age 34. “Even though injuries cut him short a bit, it was a great career.’’

As a kid, Tulowitzki idolized Derek Jeter and wore his No. 2 professionally.

He’d finally made it to the Yankees this winter, but the plan to be a placeholder for Didi Gregorius (recovering from Tommy John surgery) began to unravel when Tulowitzki landed back on the injured list with a strained left calf.

In his farewell announcement released through the Yankees, Tulowitzki thanked the organization and general manager Brian Cashman for the opportunity to “live out another childhood dream.

“I wish that my health had allowed for a different ending to that chapter.’’

A 'little extra fire'

A multiple Gold Glove and Silver Slugger award winner, Tulowitzki batted .304 with a .912 OPS during his seven-year prime with the Colorado Rockies, though he averaged 115 games per year due to various injuries.

Traded to Toronto, Tulowitzki made it to the postseason with the Blue Jays in 2015 and 2016 but a severe ankle injury and surgeries to both heels eventually led to his release this past winter – with a guaranteed $38 million remaining on a contract that ran through 2020.

“There was a lot of people that said, ‘Forget about it,’ that I’d never make it back on a baseball field again,’’ Tulowitzki said after homering in his first spring training at-bat this year – against the Blue Jays at Steinbrenner Field.

Rounding third base, Tulowitzki shouted toward the Toronto bench and later spoke about his highly emotional moment.

“I got a little pumped out there,’’ he said. “Anybody who tells you (that) you’re done, you’re going to have some little extra fire.’’

Calling it a career

Tulowitzki’s Yankees career lasted all of five games, though “he was really looking forward to this year, giving it another go,’’ said Yankees reliever Adam Ottavino, who played with Tulowitzki in Colorado.

Upon signing with the Yanks as a free agent this past winter, Ottavino immediately received an excited text message from Tulowitzki.

“It kind of ended quickly, but I definitely wasn’t thinking about him retiring or anything like that,’’ Ottavino said, until recently. “It’s been quiet for the last few months.

“I would imagine (it was a) pretty tough (decision).’’

Recalling Tulowitzki’s unorthodox flair at shortstop, Boone was struck at how much “he looked at home’’ at the position in Yankees camp, even after a 19-month layoff.

“I know he loves the game. We certainly wish him well,’’ said Boone, who mentioned the impact and the example Tulowitzki made in his short pinstriped tenure.

In his statement, Tulowitzki gave a hint about his future in baseball.

“I look forward to continuing my involvement in the game that I love,’’ Tulowitzki said, “instructing and helping young players to achieve their goals and dreams.’’

More:'A chance to bury them': Yankees roll into Boston looking to pull away in AL East

“I will always look back with tremendous gratitude for having the privilege of playing as long as I did," Tulowitzki said. "There is no way to truly express my gratitude to the fans of Colorado, Toronto and New York. They always made my family and I feel so welcome."