Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Spencer Turnbull (lat) threw an inning during the team's intrasquad game at Citizens Bank Park on Wednesday and touched 92 mph on the radar gun, but he was also "erratic," according to manager Rob Thomson. The skipper said the team won't put a ton of weight into Turnbull's outing, but he also said he needs some work, in his opinion. The 32-year-old is attempting to return from a strained right lat that has kept him out of action since late June. It's not that big of a surprise that the Phillies are hesitant to include a pitcher on their postseason roster that has had such a long layoff. If Turnbull were to be included on the roster for the National League Division Series, which begins on Saturday, it would be in a relief role. In his first year in Philly before the injury, Turnbull was looking good, posting a 2.65 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 58 strikeouts in 54 1/3 innings pitched over 17 outings (seven starts).
Spencer Turnbull Hoping To Be Included On NLDS Roster
Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Spencer Turnbull (lat) is hoping to get the final spot on the pitching staff for the National League Division Series, which begins on Saturday against either the Milwaukee Brewers or New York Mets. "I feel like I'm ready," Turnbull said. He is scheduled to pitch in an intrasquad game on Wednesday at Citizens Bank Park. Turnbull last pitched for the Phillies on June 26, when he left after three innings in Detroit. He was later diagnosed with a right-lat strain and went on the 15-day injured list. He was eventually moved to the 60-day IL on Aug. 17. Turnbull threw 52 pitches in live batting practice on Sept. 27, which followed two innings in a minor-league rehab outing with Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Sept. 22. If the 32-year-old is on the team's playoff roster, it will be in a relief role for the Phils.
Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Spencer Turnbull (lat) threw approximately 10 pitches in a bullpen session ahead of Monday's series opener against the visiting New York Yankees at Citizens Bank Park. If he bounces back from the session well, he could continue his rehab in Clearwater, Florida. Turnbull is working his way back from a strained right lat and should be back to help the Phillies at some point either in late August or early September, but because there will likely not be enough time to stretch him out as a starter, he is likely to come back to a bullpen role. Despite working to a career-best 2.65 ERA and .188 opposition batting average with a 58:20 K:BB over 54 1/3 innings (seven starts) for Philly this year, the 31-year-old veteran swingman isn't a great stash in fantasy leagues without a certain role upon his return.
Phillies Place Spencer Turnbull On 15-Day Injured List
The Philadelphia Phillies placed right-hander Spencer Turnbull (lat) on the 15-day injured list on Thursday with a right-lat strain and recalled right-hander Yunior Marte from Triple-A Lehigh Valley in a corresponding move. Turnbull was downplaying the severity of his injury after leaving his start early on Wednesday against his former team, the Detroit Tigers, but he's going to be forced to miss the next two weeks anyway. With Taijuan Walker (finger) also currently on the IL, right-handed pitching prospect Michael Mercado is the likeliest candidate to be called up from the minors to take Turnbull's spot in the rotation temporarily. Turnbull has been solid for the Phillies in 2024, but he was making his first start on Wednesday since the end of April. Mercado is the club's No. 30 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, made his MLB debut on June 24 with a scoreless inning of relief against the Tigers. Mercado had a 1.71 ERA and 1.14 WHIP with a 44:23 K:BB in 14 outings (10 starts) for Lehigh Valley. UPDATE: Manager Rob Thomson said he expects Turnbull to be out for six to eight weeks.
Spencer Turnbull Leaves Early With Shoulder Soreness
Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Spencer Turnbull (shoulder) left his start early on Wednesday against the Detroit Tigers with right-shoulder soreness after just 36 pitches in three innings, according to the team. Right-hander Taijuan Walker (finger) isn't eligible to come off the injured list until July 7, so Michael Mercado would likely be the next man up for the Phillies' starting rotation if Turnbull is forced to miss time. Mercado threw 91 pitches in back-to-back Triple-A starts on June 11 and 18. The 31-year-old Turnbull gave up an earned run on one hit while walking two and striking out two on Wednesday before departing with his injury. It's not a good sign that Turnbull was only able to throw 36 pitches in his first start since April 30, and he could be headed for a stint on the injured list. UPDATE: Turnbull felt "a little grab" in his right shoulder on his second-to-last pitch in the third inning. He'll undergo further evaluation on Thursday but didn't appear to be very concerned and joked that he can't seem to stay healthy in Detroit.
Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Spencer Turnbull will pitch in relief at some point after left-handed starter Cristopher Sanchez on Tuesday against the visiting Toronto Blue Jays, most likely for three innings or so. "We've got a plan," manager Rob Thomson said. It sounds like a piggyback situation for Turnbull, who has essentially been bumped from the starting rotation despite his 1.67 ERA and 0.83 WHIP with 36 strikeouts in 32 1/3 innings in his first six starts of the season. Turnbull hasn't thrown more than 56 2/3 innings in a season since 2019, though, so it probably is better off for him anyway. The 31-year-old veteran will obviously lose the majority of his fantasy appeal if he's not starting, but he could get another chance down the road for the Phillies.
All of Philadelphia Phillies starting pitchers Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, Ranger Suarez, Cristopher Sanchez and Taijuan Walker are currently healthy, leaving right-hander Spencer Turnbull as the odd man out in the rotation. But Turnbull has pitched well enough -- he's gone 2-0 with a microscopic 1.67 ERA and 0.83 WHIP with 36 strikeouts in six starts -- to remain in the Phillies' plans. The team hasn't announced a starter for next Tuesday, and manager Rob Thomson hinted the team could go to a six-man rotation. However, a six-man rotation won't be ideal since it would give starters too much rest with off days the next two weeks. Turnbull could piggyback another starter moving forward, but that obviously would make him much less attractive in fantasy. If Turnbull were to take over for another start, the most likely candidate would be Sanchez, especially since the Phillies are conscious of his workload.
Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Spencer Turnbull will head to the bullpen after Wednesday's start against the Cincinnati Reds. Turnbull has had a solid start to the season with an ERA of 1.23 in 22 innings pitched. He has allowed three runs through four games with 10 hits, 22 strikeouts, and seven walks. The return of Taijuan Walker (shoulder) is expected to happen during this weekend's series against the San Diego Padres. This will allow the Phillies to monitor Turnball with his move to the bullpen. With having pitched less than 57 innings since 2019, the Phillies would like to keep their pitching rotation safe and healthy. Turnbull should be held onto in deep-leagues while adding Walker. He went 15-6 in 2023 with a 4.38 ERA in 31 starts, adding a nice depth to rosters.
Spencer Turnbull Takes No-No Into Seventh Inning On Friday
Philadelphia Phillies starting pitching Spencer Turnbull took a no-hitter into the seventh inning and recorded a win in the Phillies 7-0 victory on Friday night. Turnbull struck out six and only yielded one hit to Gavin Sheets to end his no-hit bid. The righty bounced back from a so-so start in his last outing against the Pittsburgh Pirates and continued a very strong start to his 2024 campaign. Turnbull now has a 1.23 ERA in four starts and is posting up a 0.77 WHIP. Fantasy managers are certainly going to be interested in adding Turnbull if he's available on the waiver wire. By expected stats we can expect some negative regression to come his way, but at a 3.39 xERA the negative regression won't hit him too hard. Turnbull is worth the addition to your roster, even if it's just stashing him for a little longer. His next start will be Wednesday at Great American Ballpark against the Cincinnati Reds.
Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Spencer Turnbull looked sharp once again in Monday's 5-3 extra-innings win over the Cardinals. Turnbull pitched six scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and a walk with six strikeouts. He also hit a batter. The 31-year-old has yet to allow a run in his first two starts and has 13 strikeouts and just one walk in 13 IP. Turnbull is currently rostered in 25% of leagues, but that could start to rise if he continues to pitch well. He will face a test in his next projected start against a strong Pirates lineup.