The Blue Jays introduced this afternoon that they’ve recalled right-hander Spencer Turnbull from Triple-A Buffalo. In a corresponding transfer, right-hander Paxton Schultz was optioned to Triple-A.
Turnbull, 32, signed with Toronto on a one-year deal final month. The precise-hander was added to the 40-man roster on the time of the signing however agreed to be optioned to the minor leagues on the time of his signing so he may construct up his arm after lacking all of Spring Coaching because of being unsigned. He made his fifth rehab look on Friday, when he threw 80 pitches throughout 4 2/3 innings of five-run ball towards the Mets’ Triple-A affiliate. Regardless of these shaky outcomes, it represented Turnbull’s longest look each when it comes to pitch depend and batters confronted.
That will have been shut sufficient to a full massive league begin that the Jays have been snug including him again to the roster, nevertheless it’s value noting that Turnbull’s optionally available project may solely final a most of 35 days. That window would have expired tomorrow, which means that Turnbull’s addition to the roster was imminent until he suffered an harm or agreed to an extended keep within the minors. Regardless of his shaky rehab outings, the addition of Turnbull into the fold ought to hopefully present a stabilizing power for a Jays pitching employees in severe want of reinforcements.
The righty had an up-and-down profession over 5 years with the Tigers the place he at instances flashed the power to be a top quality mid-rotation arm however was too usually held again by accidents. He loved his healthiest season in years with the Phillies final yr, and whereas he did in the end miss the second half of the season with a lat pressure he made 17 appearances (together with seven begins) the place he pitched to a powerful 2.65 ERA with a 3.85 FIP and three.67 SIERA aross 54 1/3 innings of labor. He struck out a career-high 26.1% of opponents whereas strolling a reasonably manageable 9.0%, and regardless of the season-ending harm re-entered free company with a reasonably robust argument for a strong contract.
Whereas he in the end lingered on the open market lengthy sufficient to get snapped up by the Blue Jays on what was successfully a $1MM assure, the expertise Turnbull flashed final yr would go an extended strategy to shoring up a beleaguered pitching employees in Toronto. They’ve been working with a four-man rotation of late, and it appears pretty seemingly that Turnbull will now be a part of that blend at the very least till an injured pitcher like Max Scherzer or Alek Manoah is able to step again right into a rotation function with the workforce. With no starter in line for his or her recreation towards the Cardinals on June 11, it might be no shock if the right-hander finally ends up taking the ball that day.
With that being mentioned, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet recommended the likelihood that Turnbull may both start his time with the Jays within the bullpen or maybe piggyback with southpaw Eric Lauer, who has been pitching in an extended aid function for Toronto this season. Turnbull’s no stranger to a swing function after his work in Philadelphia final yr; he began his first six appearances with the Phillies earlier than transferring to the bullpen final Might and being utilized in a versatile function that noticed him make each single-inning aid appearances lasting lower than 20 pitchers and multi-inning appearances that pushed 60 pitches. Whether or not the Blue Jays in the end determine to start out Turnbull or use him within the bullpen at first, that flexibility is bound to turn out to be useful throughout his time with the membership.
