Jun 5, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Spencer Turnbull (22) looks on before the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports Kyle Ross
One of the reasons that the Phillies have continued to give struggling RHP Taijuan Walker chances to start — beyond, of course, his $72 million contract — is the lack of depth behind him. Kolby Allard and Tyler Phillips have had some nice moments, but both have their limitations.
Another disastrous performance by Walker in Wednesday's loss to the Houston Astros may force the Phillies to go in another direction. Don't expect that direction to be Spencer Turnbull, however.
Turnbull was excellent early in the season in Walker's absence pitching out of the rotation, but a right lat strain has kept the 31-year-old righty out of action since June 27. Rob Thomson said Wednesday that if Turnbull does return this season, it will be as a reliever.
"It would be a bullpen role," Thomson acknowledged. "We don't have the time to build him up."
As for where things stand in Turnbull's recovery — which has seen a pair of setbacks — Thomson offered an update on what he's doing to progress towards a possible return.
"He's throwing up to 90 feet," Thomson said in his office Wednesday afternoon. "We're getting late in the season here so we're trying to ramp him up quickly without putting him in danger. So, we're sort of running out of time, but we still have time."
Spencer Turnbull, Dirty 85mph Sweeper. 😨 pic.twitter.com/UIxb6HAT2b
The Phillies signed Turnbull, a former second-round pick, to a one-year/$2 million deal in February as they looked to build rotation depth. Even if he doesn't pitch again this season, that proved to be a wise signing by president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski, as Turnbull is 3-0 with a 2.65 ERA and 3.85 FIP across 17 games this season, seven of which were starts.
Clearly, Turnbull's season has been derailed by a lat strain, a disappointing development for someone who finally seemed to have turned the corner after having Tommy John surgery in July of 2021. The Phillies could badly use him to fill out their rotation now, and he certainly was on his way to making himself some money before getting hurt.
