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Blue Jays Recall Spencer Turnbull For Season Debut

By Nick Deeds | June 8, 2025 at 6:11pm CDT

The Blue Jays announced this afternoon that they’ve recalled right-hander Spencer Turnbull from Triple-A Buffalo. In a corresponding move, right-hander Paxton Schultz was optioned to Triple-A.

Turnbull, 32, signed with Toronto on a one-year deal last month. The right-hander was added to the 40-man roster at the time of the signing but agreed to be optioned to the minor leagues at the time of his signing so he could build up his arm after missing all of Spring Training due to being unsigned. He made his fifth rehab appearance on Friday, when he threw 80 pitches across 4 2/3 innings of five-run ball against the Mets’ Triple-A affiliate. Despite those shaky results, it represented Turnbull’s longest appearance both in terms of pitch count and batters faced.

That may have been close enough to a full big league start that the Jays were comfortable adding him back to the roster, but it’s worth noting that Turnbull’s optional assignment could only last a maximum of 35 days. That window would have expired tomorrow, meaning that Turnbull’s addition to the roster was imminent unless he suffered an injury or agreed to a longer stay in the minors. Despite his shaky rehab outings, the addition of Turnbull into the fold should hopefully provide a stabilizing force for a Jays pitching staff in serious need of reinforcements.

The righty had an up-and-down career over five years with the Tigers where he at times flashed the ability to be a quality mid-rotation arm but was too often held back by injuries. He enjoyed his healthiest season in years with the Phillies last year, and while he did ultimately miss the second half of the season with a lat strain he made 17 appearances (including seven starts) where he pitched to an impressive 2.65 ERA with a 3.85 FIP and 3.67 SIERA aross 54 1/3 innings of work. He struck out a career-high 26.1% of opponents while walking a fairly manageable 9.0%, and despite the season-ending injury re-entered free agency with a fairly strong argument for a solid contract.

While he ultimately lingered on the open market long enough to get snapped up by the Blue Jays on what was effectively a $1MM guarantee, the talent Turnbull flashed last year would go a long way to shoring up a beleaguered pitching staff in Toronto. They’ve been operating with a four-man rotation of late, and it seems fairly likely that Turnbull will now join that mix at least until an injured pitcher like Max Scherzer or Alek Manoah is ready to step back into a rotation role with the team. With no starter in line for their game against the Cardinals on June 11, it would be no surprise if the right-hander ends up taking the ball that day.

With that being said, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet suggested the possibility that Turnbull could either begin his time with the Jays in the bullpen or perhaps piggyback with southpaw Eric Lauer, who has been pitching in a long relief role for Toronto this season. Turnbull’s no stranger to a swing role after his work in Philadelphia last year; he started his first six appearances with the Phillies before moving to the bullpen last May and being utilized in a flexible role that saw him make both single-inning relief appearances lasting less than 20 pitchers and multi-inning appearances that pushed 60 pitches. Whether the Blue Jays ultimately decide to start Turnbull or use him in the bullpen at first, that flexibility is sure to come in handy during his time with the club.

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Toronto Blue Jays Transactions Paxton Schultz Spencer Turnbull

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View Comments (19)
Post a Comment

19 Comments

  1. BaseballBrian

    2 months ago

    It’s Spencer’s Turn, and that’s no Bull.

    3
    Reply
    • cttigersfan

      2 months ago

      Rim Shot

      Reply
  2. warnbeeb

    2 months ago

    Turnbull will pitch fine in Toronto. He hates the minor leagues and doesn’t try.

    1
    Reply
    • Tomas80

      2 months ago

      Unless he’s hiding another injury.

      2
      Reply
  3. batsbaseball

    2 months ago

    How was Bowden not sent down?

    1
    Reply
    • Mr. Pessimist

      2 months ago

      Should be sent to the bullpen. Swanson DFA. Instead let’s send down a guy who performed well and keep guys who continue to suck.

      Ross Atkins – Front office man of the year once again!

      2
      Reply
    • NoSaint

      2 months ago

      @batsbaseball

      Because Bowden’s replacement would have been Bullpen day and they’re already in the rotation.

      Reply
      • Canuckleball

        2 months ago

        It’s funny to think back now at the end of spring training when we were told that Ryan Yarbrough was being let go because there simply weren’t going to be enough innings for him and Yariel Rodríguez.

        Yarbrough is no stud, but he’s a reliable arm who can give a team innings out of the pen in whatever form is needed. Something he’s doing right now for a division rival.

        One of the most basic axioms of roster management is you can never have too much pitching.

        5
        Reply
        • NoSaint

          2 months ago

          @Canuckleball

          IIRC they decided on keeping Lovelady and Barns while releasing Yarbrough. I think both were off the 40 when May rolled around.

          Fine talent evaluation there.

          4
          Reply
    • its_happening

      1 month ago

      The result of no pitching depth and no pitching health.

      Reply
  4. Mr. Pessimist

    2 months ago

    How is Erik Swanson still on the roster?

    What a brilliant move that was – Teoscar Hernandez (All Star OF and one of MLB’s best clutch hitters hitting behind Vlad) straight up for RP Erik Swanson with ERAs well over 6.00!

    2
    Reply
    • swagsuperawesomeepiccoolman123

      2 months ago

      Hernandez had 1 year of control left and swanson had a really good season. At the time the bluejay’s bullpen sucked booty (and still kinda is) so they got really desperate and traded their some of their offense for a reliever

      2
      Reply
    • Ignorant Son-of-a-b

      2 months ago

      You guys also got prospect Adam Macko in that deal. I think he’s in your Top Ten prospects on the farm.

      3
      Reply
      • NoSaint

        1 month ago

        @Ignorant Son-of-a-b

        According to MLB Pipeline he’s #14 in a system ranked in the bottom third.

        1
        Reply
    • MagRupe

      1 month ago

      Adam Macko also came over and he pitched 4 hitless innings in buffalo yesterday.

      Reply
      • its_happening

        1 month ago

        With 3 walks. His issue has been walks during his pro career.

        Reply
  5. KoryIzMe

    2 months ago

    Now watch Turnbull get shelled by the Cardinals this week. DFA coming soon!

    Reply
  6. SportsFan0000

    1 month ago

    Turnbull has the talent and arm to help the Blue Jays or any team in need of a bulldog starter who can also relieve.

    He has had some bad luck with injuries.

    If he stays healthy, then Turnbull will turn out to be a very good signing for the Jays.

    2
    Reply
  7. its_happening

    1 month ago

    Turnbull hasn’t looked good in the minors. Unless he is saving something on his fastball he looked finished based on the two starts I watched.

    Reply

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