The Toronto Blue Jays added veteran pitcher Spencer Turnbull to the roster, but his role with the team was uncertain.
Turnbull struggled in the minors, but with Toronto needing help in the rotation, Turnbull would have a chance to start. However, according to Blue Jays insider Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet, Toronto plans to use Turnbull as a multi-inning pitcher to start.
“Spencer Turnbull joins Blue Jays in a multi-inning role per John Schneider,” Nicholson-Smith wrote. “He’ll likely pitch Wednesday vs. St. Louis Cardinals with Eric Lauer also likely to pitch. TBD who starts.”
Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp
Turnbull has starting experience, but the right-hander is not fully built up yet. But, once he is built up, he has a good chance to be a part of the Jays rotation, which needs plenty of help.
Over five minor league starts within the Blue Jays organization, Turnbull posted a 7.13 ERA. He signed a one-year deal with Toronto in early May.
Turnbull went 3-0 with a 2.65 ERA in 17 games, including 7 starts, with the Philadelphia Phillies last season. In his MLB career, the 32-year-old is 15-29 with a 4.26 ERA over 78 games.
The right-hander is joining a streaking Blue Jays team that is 36-30 and holding onto a Wild Card spot.
More MLB: Blue Jays $33.6 million All-Star listed as team's best trade chip