Detroit Tigers: Pitching woes continue, Spencer Turnbull placed on IL

The Detroit Tigers have struggled with injuries to their starting rotation all season long, and yet another blow was dealt on Friday.

According to Chris McCosky of The Detroit News, the Detroit Tigers have placed rookie starter Spencer Turnbull on the 10-Day IL. Turnbull’s injury has been labeled as shoulder fatigue as the rookie left his start against the Rangers on Thursday after just two innings.

Turnbull is now added to the list of Tigers starters struggling with injuries this season. Michael Fulmer and Matt Moore are both sidelined for all of 2019 along with Tyson Ross currently on the 60-Day IL and has not made a start since May 10th.

Detroit did recently regain the services of Jordan Zimmermann who returned last week after being sidelined since late-April. However, Turnbull was having a standout rookie season and has stayed healthy all year up to this point.

The right-hander has made 17 starts in 2019 for the Detroit Tigers and has maintained solid performances despite having just a 3-8 record. Turnbull currently holds a 3.31 ERA and 1.338 WHIP and has been mentioned among early American League Rookie of the Year candidates.

It will be interesting to see how the Tigers handle going down yet another starter, as the corresponding roster move to Turnbull being placed on the IL was to recall OF Victor Reyes from Toledo. Reyes has appeared in four games for Detroit so far in 2019 with a .667 BA and one RBI.

Turnbull’s injury could mean a couple more “bullpen days” for the Tigers, although a relatively non-serious injury like this likely means the righty might miss just one start. Hopefully, this IL stint lasts truly just ten days.

Turnbull’s placement on the IL is a bump in the road in what has otherwise been a very solid rookie season. The right-hander has dealt out some strong performances on the mound, and Detroit fans can only hope this stays as something relatively minor.