Spencer Turnbull’s brief tenure with the Toronto Blue Jays is over.
The Jays designated Turnbull for assignment on Wednesday to clear a roster spot for the return of another former Detroit Tiger: veteran right-hander Max Scherzer.
Turnbull, 32, appeared in just three games over roughly two weeks with Toronto, allowing five runs on 12 hits in 6 1/3 innings. He struck out four and walked four.
Turnbull signed with the Blue Jays in May after a prolonged wait in free agency that stretched into the regular season.
He pitched well last year for the Philadelphia Phillies before suffering what turned out to be a season-ending injury in a June 26 start against his former team in Detroit. Though many expected him to land another one-year deal this winter, he remained unsigned for months.
The Tigers selected Turnbull in the second round of the 2014 MLB Draft out of the University of Alabama. He debuted in 2018 and became a regular in the rotation in 2019. On May 18, 2021, he threw the Tigers’ first no-hitter in a decade.
The Tigers declined to offer Turnbull a contract for 2024 after a strange 2023 season. The Tigers twice attempted to option Turnbull to Toledo. Both times, the options were rescinded due to injury, allowing Turnbull to accrue a full year of service time.
Scherzer, who turns 41 next month, made just one start this season for Toronto before going on the injured list with a nagging thumb issue.
The future Hall-of-Famer agreed to a one-year, $15.5 million deal with the Blue Jays in January.
Scherzer pitched for the Tigers from 2010-2014, going 82-35 with a 3.52 ERA as part of a famously elite rotation. During Scherzer’s tenure, the Tigers made the playoffs four times, including an American League title in 2012.
Upon reaching free agency, he signed a seven-year, $210 million contract with the Washington Nationals after the 2014 season. It turned out to be a bargain for the Nats, who made the playoffs three times and won the 2019 World Series during Scherzer’s tenure.
Scherzer signed a three-year, $130 million deal with the Mets before the 2022 season. He was dealt to the Rangers at the deadline in 2023 and picked up another World Series ring with Texas.
Last year didn’t go as well for Scherzer or the Rangers. He made only nine starts while battling multiple injuries.
Scherzer joined a host of veteran pitchers in signing one-year deals for about $15 million this winter. Alex Cobb (Tigers), Justin Verlander (San Francisco Giants) and Charlie Morton (Baltimore Orioles) all signed similar deals.