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
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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
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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
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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
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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: 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: 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: 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.
