Blue Jays' Spencer Turnbull: Pitching Friday in unspecified role
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Turnbull is expected to pitch during Friday's game against the White Sox, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.
The Blue Jays aren't ready to divulge whether Turnbull will be used as a traditional starter or bulk reliever, but he will be a big part of the pitching plan for the series opener versus the White Sox. Turnbull has yielded a total of one run with a 2:2 K:BB over 4.1 innings covering two relief appearances for Toronto. He threw 51 pitches in his last outing Sunday versus the Phillies, so Turnbull will not be available for a full starter's workload Friday.
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Blue Jays' Spencer Turnbull: Earns win in season debut
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Turnbull (1-0) earned the win against the Cardinals on Wednesday, allowing two hits and no walks with two strikeouts over two scoreless innings.
Turnbull appeared out of the bullpen in his first major-league outing since last June and was impressive, throwing 22 of 29 pitches for strikes with five whiffs. While the 32-year-old's long-term role with the Blue Jays remains unclear, he could draw a start next week with Max Scherzer (thumb) likely requiring multiple rehab outings.
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Blue Jays' Spencer Turnbull: Slated for multi-inning role
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Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Monday that Turnbull will be used in a multi-inning role and is likely to pitch Wednesday in St. Louis, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Whether Turnbull starts the game or comes out of the bullpen hasn't been determined, as lefty Eric Lauer is also expected to pitch that day in what could be something of a piggyback situation. Turnbull was signed to a minor-league contract a little over a month ago and officially added to the big-league roster Sunday. He posted a 7.13 ERA and 14:9 K:BB over 17.2 innings in the minors before having his contract selected.
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Blue Jays' Spencer Turnbull: Called up Sunday
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The Blue Jays recalled Turnbull from Triple-A Buffalo on Sunday.
Turnbull will join the major-league roster after his 35-day window to ramp up in the Toronto's minor-league system ended Sunday. The right-hander made three appearances in the rookie-level Florida Complex League and two appearances with Triple-A Buffalo after signing with the Blue Jays in early May. Over his two outings at Triple-A, Turnbull covered 6.1 innings, allowing seven runs on nine hits and five walks while striking out four batters. Toronto hasn't provided word on what Turnbull's role will look like with the big club, but he could end up displacing Eric Lauer as the fifth member of the rotation until Max Scherzer (thumb) returns from the injured list.
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Blue Jays' Spencer Turnbull: Gets stretched out at Single-A
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Turnbull gave up one run on three hits and two walks over four innings Thursday for Single-A Dunedin. He struck out four.
He built up to 54 pitches (36 strikes) in his first outing for Dunedin, and Turnbull could be on the move again to a higher affiliate very quickly. The 32-year-old right-hander signed with the Blue Jays at the beginning of May and didn't get the benefit of spring training, but on his current trajectory he could be an option for the big-league rotation by the end of the month. Turnbull threw 54.1 innings over 17 appearances (seven starts) with the Phillies in 2024, posting a 2.65 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 58:20 K:BB.
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Blue Jays' Spencer Turnbull: Building up in rookie ball
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The Blue Jays optioned Turnbull to their rookie-level Florida Complex League affiliate after signing him to a one-year deal Monday.
Turnbull will get a spot on Toronto's 40-man roster, but he may be weeks away from being an option for the big club after he was unsigned throughout the offseason and will need time to get stretched out for starting duty. The right-hander will report to the Blue Jays' spring complex in Florida and should eventually pitch in FCL games or with Single-A Dunedin once he completes his throwing progression. He'll then likely move up to one of the Blue Jays' higher-level minor-league affiliates before potentially getting a look in the big-league rotation, which should have an opening for him while Max Scherzer (thumb) is ineligible to return from the injured list until at least late May.
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Blue Jays' Spencer Turnbull: Signs with Jays
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Turnbull signed a major-league contract with the Blue Jays on Saturday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Despite finishing last season with a 2.65 ERA and 1.05 WHIP across 54.1 innings, Turnbull went unsigned during the offseason largely due to his extensive injury history. The 32-year-old most recently suffered a lat injury last June that put an early end to his 2024 campaign. While now ostensibly healthy, he will likely require a minor-league buildup before joining the big club, per Nicholson-Smith.
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Phillies' Spencer Turnbull: Unlikely to be on NLDS roster
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Phillies manager Rob Thomson indicated Wednesday that Turnbull (lat) is unlikely to be on the NLDS roster, Alex Coffey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
Thomson said Turnbull was "erratic" during an intrasquad game Wednesday, adding that he believes the righty needs to fine-tune things. Turnbull has been sidelined since late June with a right lat strain and it would appear he'll remain out at least through the first round of the postseason.
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Phillies' Spencer Turnbull: Pitching in intrasquad game
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Turnbull (lat) will pitch in an intrasquad game Wednesday at Citizens Bank Park, MLB.com reports.
Turnbull made a rehab start with Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Sept. 22 and threw 52 pitches in a live batting practice session Sept. 27. If he gets through Wednesday's session without any issues, Turnbull could be included on the Phillies' NLDS roster as a long reliever. He's been sidelined since late June with a right lat strain.
Turnbull (lat) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Sunday.
Sidelined since late June with a right lat strain, Turnbull is finally ready to return to a live setting. He'll be cutting it close, but it appears he'll get a chance to bolster his case for a postseason roster spot with an appearance or two during the final week of the regular season. Turnbull has posted a stellar 2.65 ERA and 1.05 WHIP in 54.1 innings with Philadelphia this season.
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Phillies' Spencer Turnbull: Facing hitters Friday
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Turnbull (lat) will throw a live batting practice session Friday, Destiny Lugardo of Phillies Nation reports.
Turnbull threw an up-and-down bullpen session Monday, clearing the way for him to face hitters for the first time since he was diagnosed with a right lat strain in late June. The Phillies aren't giving up hope that Turnbull could make it back later this month as a reliever, but he can't afford any hiccups.
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Phillies' Spencer Turnbull: Tarnsferred to 60-day IL
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The Phillies transferred Turnbull (lat) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Saturday.
The move makes room on the 40-man roster for Tyler Gilbert, whose contract was selected from Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Turnbull landed on the 15-day injured list June 27 due to a right lat strain, and his move to the 60-day IL confirms that he won't be ready for activation until at least the final week of August. Whenever he eventually rejoins the big club, Turnbull is expected to work out of the bullpen for the remainder of the season. He has been limited to bullpen sessions since the start of August and has yet to embark on a minor-league rehab assignment.
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Phillies' Spencer Turnbull: Preparing to return as reliever
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Phillies manager Rob Thomson suggested Saturday that Turnbull (lat) is highly unlikely to fill a rotation spot once he's ready to return from the 15-day injured list, MLB.com reports. "It's going to be tough at this point," Thomson said when asked about bringing Turnbull back as a starter.
Turnbull had a productive six-start run for the Phillies to begin the season before shifting to the bullpen, but he moved back into the rotation in late June, when No. 5 starter Taijuan Walker landed on the shelf. His second stint in the rotation ended after just one start, as Turnbull was diagnosed with a right lat strain following his June 26 outing versus the Tigers. Given the long-term nature of the injury, Turnbull was always going to face an uphill battle making a full recovery and having enough time to get stretched back out for a starting role before the end of the season. After Turnbull experienced soreness during a recent bullpen session earlier this month, the Phillies seem to have now officially closed the door on the right-hander contributing as a starter. Thomson suggested that Turnbull isn't dealing with any major setback and is expected to get back on the mound later in the week following some extra rest as he prepares to fill a multi-inning relief role for the Phillies upon his return. The Phillies likely won't have a clear target date for Turnbulll to come off the IL until he begins a minor-league rehab assignment.
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Phillies' Spencer Turnbull: Completes side session
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Turnbull (lat) tossed a 10-pitch bullpen session Monday at Citizens Bank Park, MLB.com reports.
Assuming Turnbull escaped the side session free of setbacks, he'll shift his rehab program to the Phillies' spring training facility in Clearwater, Fla. and continue building back up. At the time Turnbull was placed on the 15-day injured list June 27 with a right lat strain, manager Rob Thomson estimated that the right-hander would be sidelined for 6-to-8 weeks. Since Turnbull doesn't look as though he'll be a realistic option to return from the IL until mid-to-late August, the Phillies have already indicated that the 31-year-old probably won't have sufficient time to get stretched out for a starting role and will likely be ticketed for the bullpen.
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Phillies' Spencer Turnbull: Plays catch Saturday
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Turnbull (lat) was cleared to resume playing catch Saturday at the Phillies' facility in Clearwater, Fla., MLB.com reports.
Turnbull looks to be trending positively in his recovery from the strained right lat he sustained June 26, but he still has several checkpoints to hit in the rehab process before making his return from the 15-day injured list. Phillies manager Rob Thomson previously said that Turnbull was likely facing a 6-to-8-week recovery timeline, so the right-hander shouldn't be expected back from the IL until middle or late August.
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Phillies' Spencer Turnbull: Expected to miss 6-to-8 weeks
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Phillies manager Rob Thomson said Thursday that he expects Turnbull (lat) to be sidelined for 6-to-8 weeks, Alex Coffey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
Turnbull suffered a right lat strain in his first start back in the Phillies' rotation Wednesday and was placed on the 15-day injured list Thursday. Given the pitcher's lengthy injury history, the team will proceed with extra caution. Michael Mercado will slide into the Philadelphia rotation for now, at least until Taijuan Walker (finger) is ready.
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Phillies' Spencer Turnbull: Headed to IL with strained lat
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The Phillies placed Turnbull (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list Thursday with a right lat strain.
Turnbull had to depart Wednesday's start against the Tigers with right shoulder soreness. While the pitcher downplayed the injury after the game, subsequent testing revealed a lat strain. It's not yet clear how much time Turnbull might miss, but it's certainly the type of injury that could cost the right-hander several weeks. With Taijuan Walker (finger) also still out for a while, Michael Mercado could enter the Phillies' rotation.
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Phillies' Spencer Turnbull: Moving back into rotation
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Turnbull is scheduled to join the rotation and start Wednesday against the Tigers in Detroit, Lochlahn March of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
He'll be taking over the rotation spot that previously belonged to Taijuan Walker, who was placed on the 15-day injured list with right index finger inflammation after developing what manager Rob Thomson termed as a "hot spot" on his pitching hand. Though an injury of this sort wouldn't seem to portend a lengthy absence for Walker, Turnbull could end up sticking around as the Phillies' No. 5 starter once Walker is healthy, so long as Turnbull comes close to recapturing the excellent form he displayed as a member of the rotation earlier this season. The Phillies have stated that they plan to monitor Turnbull's workload this season after he missed all of 2022 while recovering from Tommy John surgery and a large portion of 2023 due to neck discomfort, but the 31-year-old right-hander has made it difficult for the club to stick to that plan while he's performed so-so as a reliever (4.26 ERA, 14.1 K-BB% in 10 appearances) but exceptionally in his six starts (1.67 ERA, 20.5 K-BB%). His upcoming start against his former Tigers club will be his first since April 30, but Turnbull worked three scoreless innings (49 pitches) in his most recent relief outing Friday and is being targeted for around 70 pitches Wednesday, per Thomson.
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Phillies' Spencer Turnbull: Staying in bullpen
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Manager Rob Thomson said Tuesday that Turnbull will stay in the bullpen while the Phillies remain committed to Taijuan Walker as their No. 5 starter, Dan Gelston of the Associated Press reports.
While Walker began the season on the injured list, Turnbull secured a spot in the Opening Day rotation and dazzled over his six starts, going 2-0 with a 1.67 ERA, 0.84 WHIP and 36:10 K:BB in 32.1 innings. Shortly after Walker returned from the IL in late April, the Phillies opted to move Turnbull to the bullpen rather than expanding the rotation to six men. Though his performance has taken a step back upon his move to the bullpen, Turnbull is coming off an impressive showing against the Cardinals on Saturday, when he struck out six over three scoreless frames. Walker, meanwhile, hasn't pitched into the seventh inning of his last five turns through the rotation and is sitting on a 5.73 ERA and 1.59 WHIP in 37.2 innings overall through seven starts on the season. At this point, Walker's exorbitant four-year, $72 million contract may be the main reason he's still in the rotation, but his leash has undoubtedly gotten shorter. Walker will start Sunday's game against the Mets in London, but another poor showing could prompt Thomson to change his tune and give Turnbull another look in the rotation.
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Phillies' Spencer Turnbull: Will follow Sanchez in relief
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Phillies manager Rob Thomson said that Turnbull will pitch in relief Tuesday against the Blue Jays, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.
Thomson wouldn't reveal exactly how Turnbull will be used, but Gelb says the right-hander will likely pitch three innings or so in what could be a piggyback situation with starter Cristopher Sanchez. Turnbull was demoted to the bullpen recently in spite of a 1.67 ERA and 36:10 K:BB in 32.1 innings this season, as the team has an eye on his workload since he hasn't thrown more than 56.2 innings in a season since 2019.
