Former Tigers pitcher searching for a new job (and deserves a chance)

ByEmma Lingan|
Baltimore Orioles v Detroit Tigers
Baltimore Orioles v Detroit Tigers | Duane Burleson/GettyImages

The Detroit Tigers' second-round pick in the 2014 MLB Draft is actively looking for his next Major League opportunity as he remains a free agent more than two weeks into the 2025 season.

According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, free agent right-hander Spencer Turnbull has thrown for teams in the hope of earning an MLB contract this year. The 32-year-old spent the first five seasons of his Major League career with the Tigers from 2018-23, missing the entire 2022 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery.

The Tigers declined to tender Turnbull a contract offer after he struggled to a 7.26 ERA in just seven starts during his final season in Detroit, and he became a free agent for the first time in his career.

The Philadelphia Phillies signed him to a one-year, $2 million deal in February of 2024, and he put up a 2.65 ERA with a 26.1% strikeout rate through 54 1/3 combined innings of work as a starter and a reliever before landing on the injured list with a lat strain in June.

Former Tigers pitcher Spencer Turnbull searching for a new job (and deserves a chance)

Turnbull should generate some interest among teams in need of starting pitching this season, though injuries have haunted him throughout his career. He hasn't reached 60 MLB innings in a single season since he pitched 148 1/3 frames across 30 starts for the Tigers in 2019.

When Turnbull is healthy, though, he has been a decently productive arm who could be a low-risk option for a team looking for short-term pitching depth (just like the Phillies were last year). He has a respectable career ERA of 4.26 with 338 strikeouts over 356 2/3 Major League innings between Detroit and Philadelphia.

Even though Turnbull is seeking a Major League deal, if he agrees to an optional assignment that will allow him to build up in the minor leagues (and stays healthy in the process), he could very well be back in the Majors with a new team later this year.

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