Spencer Turnbull Poised for Comeback with Toronto Blue Jays

Toronto, Canada – Former Detroit Tigers pitcher Spencer Turnbull is on the verge of making his 2025 debut with the Toronto Blue Jays after a challenging offseason. Turnbull’s journey through free agency stretched into the regular season, leaving him unsigned for months.

Before joining the Blue Jays, the 32-year-old right-hander had a solid season in 2024, going 3-0 with a 2.65 ERA over 54 1/3 innings. He struck out 58 batters and walked 20, showcasing his talent on the mound. Despite these impressive numbers, most expected him to sign a one-year deal during the winter, but he remained without a contract for an extended period.

Turnbull was drafted by the Tigers in the second round of the 2014 MLB Draft from the University of Alabama. He made his MLB debut in 2018 and became a regular member of the rotation by 2019. However, his time with Detroit ended controversially. Injuries led to two failed options to the minor leagues, allowing him to accrue a full year of service time without proper play.

Reflecting on his time with the Tigers, Turnbull stated, “Last year was really hard. Not a lot of fun. And it wasn’t how I would have liked things to end here in Detroit. It wasn’t my choice for things to go down that way. It just kind of happened.”

As he transitions to the Blue Jays, it is unclear whether Turnbull will serve as a starter or long relief pitcher. His recent performance in the minors has been underwhelming, with a 7.13 ERA over 17 2/3 innings across five starts, accompanied by nine walks and 14 strikeouts. Despite these challenges, Turnbull remains determined to make a significant impact in his return to the league.