Phillies add rotation depth in 1-year deal with Turnbull
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PHILADELPHIA -- The Phillies’ search for starting pitching depth continues.
The Phillies and right-hander Spencer Turnbull have agreed to terms on a one-year deal, the club announced Wednesday. It's a $2 million contract that includes performance bonuses, a source told MLB.com's Mark Feinsand.
Turnbull has an option remaining, although because he also has five-plus years of MLB service time, he can refuse any assignment. It seems likely he will open the season in Triple-A Lehigh Valley, unless he makes the bullpen as a long man.
Turnbull has made only 16 starts in the big leagues since 2020 because of injuries. He had Tommy John surgery in 2021, which forced him to miss the entire 2022 season. He battled injuries in 2023, posting a 7.26 ERA in seven starts with Detroit. He had a 6.23 ERA in eight combined starts with Triple-A Toledo and Single-A West Michigan.
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Turnbull, 31, is 12-29 with a 4.55 ERA in 61 career appearances (60 starts) with Detroit from 2018-23. He threw a no-hitter in May 2021.
The Phillies have Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, Ranger Suárez, Taijuan Walker and Cristopher Sánchez as their projected five-man rotation. Behind them are Turnbull; left-hander Kolby Allard, who signed a $1 million deal last month; and right-handers Max Castillo, Dylan Covey, Nick Nelson and prospect Mick Abel.
Sources have said the Phillies are unlikely to sign one of the big remaining free-agent pitchers, although they are interested in left-hander Jordan Montgomery on a short-term deal.
To make room for Turnbull on the 40-man roster, right-hander McKinley Moore was designated for assignment.