Blue Jays Make Bold Move: Spencer Turnbull Designated for Assignment – What It Means for the Team

The Blue Jays made a significant move by reinstating right-hander Max Scherzer from the 60-day injured list. In a corresponding action, they designated fellow righty Spencer Turnbull for assignment. Ben Nicholson-Smith from Sportsnet reported the news.

Turnbull, 32, was a sought-after free agent this offseason. Last year, playing for the Phillies, he posted a solid 2.65 ERA over 54 innings, with a commendable strikeout rate of 26.1%. But injuries limited his appearances. Despite those good numbers, he remained unsigned at the start of the season. With Scherzer’s early injury, the Jays searched for replacements, giving opportunities to several pitchers, including Easton Lucas and José Ureña.

They signed Turnbull in May for a prorated salary of $1 million. He opted to go to the minors to build his strength after missing spring training. Unfortunately, his velocity was disappointing. In Triple-A, he averaged under 90 mph with his four-seam fastball—much lower than his usual 92 mph from prior seasons. As his time in the minors was limited, the Jays called him up in mid-June.

Turnbull’s initial outings were decent. He recorded two shutout innings against the Cardinals and allowed just one run against the Phillies in his next appearance. However, his start against the White Sox fell flat, where he allowed four earned runs in just two innings. Currently, he has a 7.11 ERA in a small sample of work, with strikeout and walk rates neither impressive nor encouraging.

In contrast, other pitchers have shown better performance. Eric Lauer, who signed with the Jays this offseason, has a stellar 2.21 ERA over 40 2/3 innings. His strikeout rate is a solid 25.5%, while his walk rate is around average. Meanwhile, Paxton Schultz is also showing quality performances, with a 3.80 ERA and strong strikeout numbers. The competition among the pitchers is fierce, which has made it challenging for Turnbull to find his rhythm.

With Scherzer returning to the rotation alongside Kevin Gausman, José Berríos, and Chris Bassitt, Turnbull’s future in Toronto looks uncertain. He now enters a DFA limbo period, lasting up to a week. Teams can take 48 hours to claim him through waivers, so there’s a possibility he could end up on another roster if the Jays don’t release him outright.

Historically, pitchers like Turnbull can bounce back even after tough seasons. From 2019 to 2021, he maintained a 4.13 ERA over 255 innings with a respectable ground ball rate of 50.3%. After recovering from Tommy John surgery in 2022, he demonstrated glimpses of his potential last year. Considering this, other teams might take a chance on him, particularly because if he’s released, they could pick him up for a minimal salary. Pitchers with previous success are often viewed as attractive additions, especially in a league always on the lookout for talent.

As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see if Turnbull gets another opportunity to revive his career or if he will have to start anew elsewhere.

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max scherzer,spencer turnbull