The Cubs signed Turnbull to a minor-league contract Friday and assigned him to their affiliate in the Arizona Complex League.
The right-hander signed a major-league contract with the Blue Jays in early May and debuted for them a month later, but he was designated for assignment June 25 after giving up five earned runs on 12 hits with a 4:4 K:BB over 6.1 innings. Turnbull pitched well as a swingman for Philly last season with a 2.65 ERA and 1.05 WHIP, though he was limited to just 17 appearances (seven starts) and missed the final four-plus months of the campaign due to a lat strain. The Cubs could use some rotation help, but Turnbull seems like a better fit as a long reliever or spot starter. Regardless of his role, the 33-year-old will likely need a decent showing in the minors in order to get a promotion to Chicago.
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Blue Jays' Spencer Turnbull: Booted off 40-man roster
Rotowire
The Blue Jays designated Turnbull for assignment Wednesday.
The Blue Jays needed to clear a spot on the 26-man active roster and 40-man roster for the return of Max Scherzer (thumb) from the 60-day injured list, and Turnbull is the casualty. Turnbull signed a one-year contract with Toronto in early May and was called up to the majors in early June, but he didn't look sharp, allowing five runs with a 4:4 K:BB over 6.1 innings covering one start and two relief appearances. The 32-year-old should get another opportunity elsewhere, but he might have to settle for a minor-league deal if he clears waivers.
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Blue Jays' Spencer Turnbull: Knocked around in defeat
Rotowire
Turnbull (1-1) picked up the loss after throwing two innings, allowing four runs on five hits and two walks while striking out two during Friday's 7-1 loss to the White Sox.
Turnbull got the chance to start Friday after a shoulder injury to Bowden Francis landed Francis on the injured list. It didn't go too well for the 32-year-old Turnbull, who could only make it through two innings in his third outing of the year. He's not quite stretched out as a starter currently, and after a rough performance against the White Sox, it remains to be seen how the Blue Jays will handle this spot in the rotation the next time it comes up.
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Blue Jays' Spencer Turnbull: Handling starting role Friday
Rotowire
Turnbull is slated to start Friday's game against the White Sox.
Turnbull has made two long relief appearances covering 4.1 total innings since getting recalled from Triple-A Buffalo on June 8, but he'll pick up his first start with the Blue Jays by slotting into the rotation spot opened up when Bowden Francis (shoulder) landed on the injured list. Because Turnbull hasn't tossed more than 80 pitches in any of his seven appearances between the majors and minors this season, he likely won't handle a big workload. With Max Scherzer (thumb) tracking toward a return from the 60-day injured list next week, Turnbull could be headed back to the bullpen after Friday's outing.
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Blue Jays' Spencer Turnbull: Pitching Friday in unspecified role
Rotowire
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
Rotowire
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
Rotowire
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
Rotowire
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
Rotowire
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
Rotowire
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
Rotowire
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.
Phillies' Spencer Turnbull: Unlikely to be on NLDS roster
Rotowire
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
Rotowire
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.
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