Blue Jays DFA Veteran After Just 3 Appearances

The good news for the Toronto Blue Jays is that Max Scherzer has finally been activated off the 60-day IL and is starting Wednesday night's game. With that, however, comes the bad news for 32-year-old veteran right-handed pitcher Spencer Turnbull, who has been DFA'd.

ROSTER MOVES:

🔹 RHP Max Scherzer reinstated from 60-day IL and will start tonight's game

🔹 RHP Spencer Turnbull designated for assignment pic.twitter.com/DTO2CRUqaO
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) June 25, 2025

Turnbull made only one start for the Jays after two relief appearances, after being signed as a free agent last month when Scherzer originally landed on the 60-day IL.

In his one and only start for Toronto late last week, Turnbull surrendered five hits and four earned runs in just two innings of work, while striking out two and walking two. Combined with his two relief outings, Turnbull's days with the Jays end with a 7.11 ERA.

The RHP has certainly had some ups and downs in his career. A no-hitter in 2021 while with the Detroit Tigers was followed just three starts later by an elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery, knocking him out for more than half of the '21 season and all of 2022.

He struggled upon his return to the majors in 2023 with Detroit (7.26 ERA), but came back with an excellent first half of the 2024 season in a combined starting/relieving role for the Philadelphia Phillies, posting a 2.65 ERA with a 1.05 WHIP in 54.1 innings. However, a lat strain suffered in late June ended his season early.

The Blue Jays signed him on May 6th this year to a $1M deal, but his opportunity is done after just three appearances. Maybe another team will give Turnbull a shot after the promise he showed with the Phillies last year.