The Philadelphia Phillies, like many other Major League Baseball clubs, have dealt with injuries throughout the season. The injured list was relatively full before the All-Star break, but the club has subsequently added a lot of players back to the lineup.
One player who has yet to return is dynamic pitcher Spencer Turnbull. The right-hander is rehabbing and anticipated to return before the conclusion of the season, but a recent setback may delay his return.
Injured Phillies pitcher Spencer Turnbull hits a speedbump during rehab
Turnbull has not pitched in a game since June 26 at Detroit, his previous hometown. The start was his first since April 30, when he was sent to the bullpen to minimize his innings. Unfortunately, the former Tiger could only pitch three innings before leaving the game with a shoulder injury.
The original recuperation time frame was six to eight weeks. The six-week mark has arrived, but the Phillies’ pitcher has encountered a stumbling block in his rehabilitation. Turnbull was set to throw a bullpen session at the Phillies’ spring training facilities in Clearwater this week, but he was unable to do so owing to discomfort in his damaged shoulder.
Manager Rob Thomson discussed the throwing session over the weekend with NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Corey Seidman.
“He did not, he had a little soreness,” Thomson told Seidman on Saturday in Arizona. “He came back to play catch, but he was sore, so we kind of backed off. Allow him some additional time. We’re hoping to have him back up and running by the end of this week.
Turnbull to head to the bullpen upon his return to the Phillies
Given the number of games remaining and the time it would take to rebuild the 31-year-old’s arm strength, it was expected that Turnbull would rejoin the Phillies as a relief pitcher. That seems almost certain now.
Regardless of how he is used, the team could need more pitching help. Turnbull has a 2.65 ERA this season, and opponents are hitting just.188 against the right-hander. His relief appearances were uneven when he first started in the new role, but he eventually settled in and established a routine. He might be deployed as a middle-inning reliever or a multi-inning reliever later in the season or even in the playoffs.
Turnbull would profit from being as effective as possible when he returns, as his contract expires at the end of the 2024 campaign. His performance in the rotation, as well as the adaptability he demonstrated in his relief appearances, increased his chances of landing a more lucrative contract than the single-season $2 million agreement he now has. His health may have an impact on the final results, however.
Leave a Reply