Troy Tulowitzki’s batting practice session in the cages Thursday went well and the Blue Jays plan to have the all-star shortstop face live pitching in a simulated game Friday before an expected return Saturday against the Tampa Bay Rays.

The Blue Jays planned to bring a couple of pitchers down to Tropicana Field from their instructional league workouts in nearby Dunedin, Fla., in order to give Tulowitzki a look at some real pitching before returning to the field.

He suffered a fractured left scapula, or shoulder blade, Sept. 12.

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PROPS FROM PAT: Alex Anthopoulos is the second general manager to build an AL East champion club for the Blue Jays, and the first to do it is very happy for Toronto and his former team.

“You naturally have a feeling for the city that gave you an opportunity to really get your feet on the ground, it was my first chance (to be a general manager),” said Pat Gillick, who will be succeeded as Philadelphia Phillies president by Andy MacPhail at season’s end. “I’m a dual citizen, moved up there in 1977 and lived there until 2007, you have a feeling for what the fans are like, what support you got, so you certainly have a special feeling for the city. It’s good for your psyche, it’s good for your morale, for the city, if the people can have something they can attach themselves to, something they can be proud of, whatever it might be.

“Unfortunately professional sports teams in Toronto haven’t been where they should be, so consequently, after 20-something years for them to get back to the playoffs, I’m real happy for them, I’m happy for the fans, and I hope they go out and win another World Series.”