Turnbull (neck) has yet to resume throwing, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.
Multiple MRI scans have shown that Turnbull's neck has been healing, just very slowly. He's scheduled for another MRI in two weeks, at which point the Tigers will re-evaluate his situation and determine whether or not he can begin a throwing program. Turnbull has been on the IL with neck discomfort since May 12.
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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
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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.
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Tigers' Spencer Turnbull: Takes third loss
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Turnbull (1-3) allowed three runs on three hits across 5.1 innings to take the loss Wednesday against the Guardians. He walked three and struck out three.
Turnbull pitched decently, but Detroit only provided two runs of support, and the righty's one big mistake turned into a three-run homer by Jose Ramirez. Turnbull's 7.85 ERA overall doesn't look pretty, though he's been better in his last two starts, allowing four runs across 10.1 innings. He'll look to keep trending in the right direction when he takes the mound again, likely early next week against Milwaukee.
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Tigers' Spencer Turnbull: Earns first win of season
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Turnbull (1-2) allowed just one run on six hits across five innings to earn the win Thursday against the Blue Jays. He walked one and struck out six.
After allowing 12 runs across eight innings in his first two starts of the season, this was a step in the right direction for Turnbull. The six strikeouts were particularly encouraging, as he entered the contest with only four of them this year. This was the righty's first win since May of 2021, as he underwent Tommy John surgery later that year, so some rust is to be expected early in 2023. Turnbull will look to build on this positive outing in his next start, which should come early next week against the Guardians.
Turnbull said he battled a neck stinger toward the end of his start Thursday against the Red Sox, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.
Turnbull had to turn his neck abruptly while attempting to dodge a comebacker off the bat of Enrique Hernandez in the top of the sixth inning. He stayed in the game initially, but his velocity was down and he ultimately got lifted after giving up a single, a double and a walk in the same frame. The 30-year-old right-hander yielded five total earned runs on five hits and two walks while falling to 0-2 on the season. He tallied only one strikeout. Up next, assuming the Tigers stay on their current rotation schedule, is a tough road start versus the Blue Jays.
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Tigers' Spencer Turnbull: Takes loss to Rays
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Turnbull (0-1) took the loss Saturday, allowing seven runs on eight hits and three walks over 2.1 innings against the Rays. He struck out three.
This one was ugly right from the get-go as Turnbull started single, wild pitch, single, double, walk. The third inning got out of hand and Trey Wingenter replaced Turnbull with one out in the frame. Turnbull was at his best ever in 2021 before going down with an elbow injury which required Tommy John surgery. He will need to show some semblance of that form again before he can be trusted in fantasy lineups.
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Tigers' Spencer Turnbull: Suffers rough start
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Turnbull allowed three runs on six hits across three innings in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies. He struck out four.
Turnbull allowed only three total hits across his first two spring starts, but he was much more hittable Thursday. On a positive note, the righty continued to rack up strikeouts, and he now has nine across 7.1 Grapefruit League innings. Turnbull is making his return from Tommy John surgery this year, so there likely will be some ups and downs, but he could be a streaming option in the right matchups.
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Tigers' Spencer Turnbull: Strikes out three Friday
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Turnbull allowed one run on a hit and a walk across 2.1 innings in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees. He struck out three.
Making his second start of the spring, Turnbull once again looked solid. The righty threw 45 pitches, up from 25 in his first outing, so the Tigers are keeping his workload in check as he returns from his July 2021 Tommy John surgery. Turnbull may have some streaming appeal in 2023, though the innings limit that will likely be in place caps his upside.
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Tigers' Spencer Turnbull: Tosses two innings in spring debut
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Turnbull (elbow) allowed one run on two hits across two innings in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Blue Jays. He struck out two.
It was Turnbull's first game action since 2021 as he makes his way back following Tommy John surgery. The righty logged 25 pitches, and the Tigers will likely be cautious with him throughout the spring. Turnbull will slot into Detroit's rotation this season, possibly as the No. 2 starter behind Eduardo Rodriguez. He could have some fantasy appeal if he's fully healthy, though his workload figures to be managed all year, which could limit his upside. Turnbull's career high in innings is the 148.1 he pitched back in 2019.
Turnbull (elbow) will make his Grapefruit League debut Saturday versus the Blue Jays, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.
It will mark the first game action since June of 2021 for Turnbull, who is coming back from Tommy John surgery. The right-hander has reportedly been impressive during throwing sessions this spring and will now get to test things out against live competition. He'll be under workload restrictions in 2023 but could be an interesting late-round fantasy target.
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Tigers' Spencer Turnbull: Throws live batting practice
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Turnbull (elbow) impressed during his first live batting practice session of the spring Thursday, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.
It was the first time Turnbull has faced live hitting since he suffered a right elbow injury back in June of 2021, which ultimately required Tommy John surgery. The 30-year-old is expected to be part of the Tigers' Opening Day rotation, but his workload will be monitored closely considering he missed all of 2022 and barely topped 100 innings combined from 2020-21.
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Tigers' Spencer Turnbull: Clocked at 94 mph
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Turnbull (elbow) hit 94 mph during his first bullpen session of the spring Friday, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.
That's right at where he was sitting prior to Tommy John surgery, but Turnbull was encouraged because he said he never throws that hard in bullpen sessions. The right-hander missed all of 2022 following his elbow operation in July 2021, but he'll enter 2023 with a clean bill of health. Expect the Tigers to be careful with Turnbull's workload, though, given that he threw just 50 innings in 2021 and 56.2 frames in 2020.
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Tigers' Spencer Turnbull: Taking part in offseason work
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The Tigers announced Tuesday that Turnbull (elbow) is fully healthy and participating in his normal offseason program, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.
The right-hander missed the entire 2022 campaign while he rehabbed from Tommy John surgery in July of last year, but he's ready to go for the start of spring training. Turnbull made nine starts in 2021 prior to the procedure and had a 2.88 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 44:12 K:BB in 50 innings, and he should be in the rotation for Detroit to begin 2023.
Manager A.J. Hinch said Wednesday that Turnbull (elbow) won't return in 2022, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.
Turnbull underwent Tommy John surgery in late July of last year and resumed mound work earlier this month. Although Hinch initially hoped that the right-hander would be able to return sometime in September, the Tigers' skipper said Wednesday that the aggressive timetable required for a late-season return wouldn't be worth it for Turnbull or the team. Turnbull should now have plenty of time to make sure he's fully healthy before likely returning to action during spring training in 2023.
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Tigers' Spencer Turnbull: Steps back on mound
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Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said Wednesday that Turnbull (elbow) has recently thrown a couple bullpen sessions at the team's extended spring training complex in Lakeland, Fla., Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.
Detroit isn't closing the door on Turnbull making enough progress over the next month or two to put himself in position to return from the 60-day injured list in September, but the organization's main goal at this stage is to have him available in full capacity for spring training in 2023. Turnbull underwent Tommy John surgery in late July of last year and likely won't have enough time to build up for a starting role if he were to make a late-season return from the IL.
