Turnbull became a free agent Friday after being non-tendered by the Tigers.
Turnbull posted a rough 7.26 ERA over 31 innings this season in the majors and wasn't much better at Triple-A. The 31-year-old right-hander will aim to revive his career in a new locale, assuming the Tigers don't bring him back on a new (cheaper) deal. He'd been projected to earn around $2.4 million in 2024 via salary arbitration.
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Tigers' Spencer Turnbull: Will compete for rotation job
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Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris said Monday that he expects Turnbull to compete for a job in the rotation next spring, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.
Turnbull missed all of the 2022 season following Tommy John surgery and suffered through a lost 2023 campaign. He was limited to just 15 starts this year due to neck and toe injuries and, when healthy, didn't pitch well either in the majors (7.26 ERA) or minors (6.23 ERA). Turnbull ended the season healthy at Triple-A Toledo, though, and should have a normal offseason. It's possible Turnbull could have been seen as a non-tender candidate, but it sounds like the Tigers plan to keep him around and hope he can bounce back in his walk year.
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Tigers' Spencer Turnbull: Returning to mound at Triple-A
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Turnbull (toe) is listed as Thursday's scheduled starter for Triple-A Toledo, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.
Turnbull hasn't pitched in more than three weeks because of a cracked toenail but appears ready to give it a go Thursday. It's been a lost season for the right-hander, as injuries have limited Turnbull to 52.1 innings, and he's struggled both in the majors (7.26 ERA) and minors (6.75 ERA).
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Tigers' Spencer Turnbull: Suffers toe injury
Rotowire
Turnbull didn't make his scheduled turn through the rotation at Triple-A Toledo this week after Tigers manager A.J. Hinch relayed Saturday that the right-hander is dealing with a cracked toenail, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.
Toledo hasn't placed Turnbull on its 7-day injured list, and Hinch relays that Turnbull should get back on the mound "any given day." Turnbull was recently activated from the Tigers' 60-day IL after recovering from a neck injury and completing a six-start rehab assignment. He made the last four of those starts with Toledo, posting a 7.71 ERA and 1.84 WHIP in 16.1 innings.
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Tigers' Spencer Turnbull: Activated, optioned to Triple-A
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The Tigers activated Turnbull (neck) from the 60-day injured list Wednesday and optioned him to Triple-A Toledo, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.
Turnbull's 30-day rehab assignment window closed on a low note Tuesday, with the right-hander striking out five but giving up three earned runs on six hits and two walks over 3.2 innings in his start with Toledo. Overall, Turnbull compiled a 6.75 ERA, 1.59 WHIP and 23:7 K:BB over 21.1 innings in his six starts between Toledo and High-A West Michigan. The Tigers already have a full rotation, so unless injuries test the big club's pitching depth, Turnbull will need to show improved performance over his next few outings at Toledo to get another look in Detroit.
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Tigers' Spencer Turnbull: Bullpen and rehab scheduled
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Turnbull (neck) is scheduled to make his next rehab start Tuesday for Triple-A Toledo, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.
In his first two Triple-A rehab starts he allowed five earned runs in 7.2 innings. Turnbull is still ramping up his workload as he continues to make strides to a return, but with a 7.23 ERA in the majors this season, it remains in question whether the Tigers will make room in the rotation for him.
Turnbull (neck) is scheduled to make his fourth rehab start Wednesday with Triple-A Toledo, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.
Turnbull will be making his second straight appearance with Toledo after he made his first two rehab starts at High-A West Michigan. In his first outing at Triple-A on Friday, Turnbull covered 3.1 innings and tossed 56 pitches while giving up two earned runs on three hits and one walk. After Wednesday's outing, Turnbull should be stretched out enough for something close to a normal starter's workload, but it's unclear if the Tigers will make room for him in the rotation. Before landing on the injured list in May with the neck injury, Turnbull compiled a 7.26 ERA and 1.68 WHIP in his seven starts with Detroit.
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Tigers' Spencer Turnbull: Moves rehab to Triple-A
Rotowire
Turnbull (neck) had his rehab assignment transferred to Triple-A Toledo on Friday.
The right-hander made a couple rehab starts for High-A West Michigan, most recently covering three innings with two runs allowed and four strikeouts. He's been cleared to jump up the ladder to Toledo, which leaves Turnbull just one step away from a return to the majors. He got off to a rough start in his return from Tommy John surgery (7.26 ERA), but he figures to get another chance to prove himself in the Detroit rotation, likely bumping aside Joey Wentz once he's deemed ready for activation.
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Tigers' Spencer Turnbull: Works three innings Sunday
Rotowire
Turnbull (neck) made his second rehab start Sunday for High-A West Michigan, covering three innings and allowing two runs on two hits and no walks while striking out four.
After tossing two scoreless frames for West Michigan in his first rehab start last Tuesday, Turnbull worked a little longer Sunday and was mostly effective during the 34-pitch outing, with a two-run first-inning home run representing the only damage against him. Expect the Tigers to transfer Turnbull's rehab assignment to Double-A Erie or Triple-A Toledo later this week as he continues to get stretched back out following a lengthy layoff due to a neck injury. The Tigers wouldn't appear to have room in the rotation for Turnbull at the moment, but that could change quickly if Detroit moves Eduardo Rodriguez and/or Michael Lorenzen ahead of Tuesday's trade deadline.
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Tigers' Spencer Turnbull: Slated for live batting practice
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Turnbull (neck) is scheduled to throw live batting practice Saturday, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.
On the heels of another successful bullpen session Wednesday, Turnbull will advance to facing live hitters. He would appear to be closing in on a rehab assignment after needing a 60-day IL stint because of a neck issue, following a lost 2022 due to Tommy John surgery. Turnbull has struggled to a 7.26 ERA this season, but he's shown that he can be effective when healthy and the Tigers will presumably give him another chance to prove himself in the starting rotation.
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Tigers' Spencer Turnbull: Throws full bullpen session
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Turnbull (neck) threw a 21-pitch bullpen session Wednesday, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.
Turnbull mixed in all of his pitches in what he deemed his first "real bullpen" session since he went on the injured list back in mid-May with a neck injury. "The neck feels fine," Turnbull said, "but it's building up arm strength and figuring out the timing. Doesn't feel too bad." There remains no timetable for Turnbull's return, but Wednesday's session was a significant step.
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Tigers' Spencer Turnbull: Mound workout Saturday
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Turnbull (neck) is scheduled to throw off a mound Saturday, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.
It will be his first mound workout since he landed on the injured list in early May because of a neck injury. There's no exact timetable yet for Turnbull's activation from the 60-day IL and he's likely to require a lengthy minor-league rehab stint, but the 30-year-old right-hander seems to finally be headed in a positive direction.
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Tigers' Spencer Turnbull: Nearing throwing work
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Turnbull (neck) is on track to begin a throwing program next week, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.
Turnbull has been limited to strength and conditioning work since he went on the major-league IL in early May due to a neck injury, but he's about ready to take a big step. The 30-year-old right-hander had originally been optioned to Triple-A Toledo before the injury was revealed, so he might be in for a lengthy minor-league rehab stint.
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Tigers' Spencer Turnbull: Moved to 60-day IL
Rotowire
The Tigers transferred Turnbull (neck) to the 60-day injured list Friday.
Turnbull landed on the 15-day injured list last month retroactive to May 7 and has yet to resume throwing. The move to the 60-day IL will keep him out until closer to the All-Star break and open a spot on the 40-man roster for Nick Solak, who was claimed off waivers from Atlanta on Friday.
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Tigers' Spencer Turnbull: Cleared for strength work
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Turnbull (neck) was cleared Tuesday to begin upper-body strength and conditioning work, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.
Turnbull got the go-ahead to increase his level of activity after undergoing a checkup MRI on Monday. He's been on the injured list since May 12 due to neck discomfort and still has a lot of hurdles to clear before he can be an option again for the Tigers' starting rotation.
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Tigers' Spencer Turnbull: Recalled, placed on IL
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The Tigers recalled Turnbull from Triple-A Toledo on Friday and placed him on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to May 7, with neck discomfort.
Turnbull was injured before he got sent out to Triple-A earlier this week, thus the procedural move to recall him from the minors and move him to the major-league IL. It doesn't sound like a serious injury, though he could immediately be returned to Toledo once he completes his rehab.
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Tigers' Spencer Turnbull: Demoted to Triple-A
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The Tigers optioned Turnbull to Triple-A Toledo on Sunday, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.
After missing the entire 2022 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, Turnbull was healthy enough to break camp as a member of Detroit's Opening Day rotation. However, the 30-year-old right-hander hasn't been anywhere close to as effective as he had been prior to his surgery through his first seven starts of 2023, as he logged a 7.26 ERA, 1.68 WHIP and 24:15 K:BB in 31 innings. The Tigers are hoping a demotion to Triple-A will help Turnbull regain confidence while honing his control and command. Alex Faedo will be called up from Triple-A in a corresponding move to start Sunday's game in St. Louis, and he could end up making a few turns through the rotation as the Tigers' No. 5 starter while Turnbull is on the farm.
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Tigers' Spencer Turnbull: Escapes with no-decision
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Turnbull didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 6-5 extra-inning win over the Cardinals, coughing up five runs on seven hits and a walk over 4.2 innings. He struck out six.
The right-hander continues to have a bumpy return from Tommy John surgery. Saturday's six strikeouts did tie Turnbull's season high, but he also served up multiple homers for the first time in seven starts, and he left the game on the hook for his fifth loss before the Tigers tied it up in the seventh inning. Turnbull will carry a 7.26 ERA and 24:15 K:BB through 31 innings into his next outing, which could come at home next weekend against the Mariners.
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Tigers' Spencer Turnbull: Suffers fourth loss
Rotowire
Turnbull (1-4) took the loss Sunday, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits and two walks over four innings during a 5-3 loss to the Orioles. He struck out three.
Turnbull allowed two or fewer earned runs for the third time over his past four starts, but he still picked up his fourth loss. He threw just 50 of his 83 pitches for strikes and issued multiple walks for the fifth time over six starts. Turnbull's ERA actually dropped from 7.25 to 6.84, but he still doesn't look like the pitcher he was in 2021, when he posted a 2.88 ERA over nine starts (50 innings) before undergoing Tommy John surgery.
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Tigers' Spencer Turnbull: Lasts four frames in no-decision
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Turnbull didn't factor in the decision Tuesday in Milwaukee after he gave up two runs on three hits and three walks across four innings during a 4-3 victory. He struck out two.
The right-hander threw 42 of his 75 pitches for strikes and generated just four whiffs, as he was unable to pitch deep enough to qualify for the win after Detroit's four-run second inning. Turnbull surrendered 12 runs in his first two starts of the season, though he's been better in his past three outings with a 3.77 ERA and 11:7 K:BB over 14.1 frames.
