ST. LOUIS — Detroit Tigers right-hander Spencer Turnbull, who missed all of last season rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, needs to execute his pitches.
He knows that, and the Tigers know that.
The Tigers optioned Turnbull to Triple-A Toledo after his inconsistent performance Saturday against the St. Louis Cardinals. The 30-year-old has a 7.26 ERA in seven starts this season and hasn’t been able to complete the sixth inning.
MIND GAME: Tigers rookie Mason Englert credits life-changing routine for success in biggest moment yet
CHILL AND MAKE PITCHES: Alex Lange is closing games his way and the Tigers are buying it
ACE-LIKE: Eduardo Rodriguez has a 0.52 ERA in past five starts for the Tigers. He’s still not satisfied
ROG: Tigers’ Jake Rogers on facing Justin Verlander: ‘My name will always … be tied to his’
Tigers manager A.J. Hinch and president of baseball operations Scott Harris met with Turnbull at the hotel in St. Louis after Saturday’s 6-5 win in extra innings. Turnbull allowed five runs on seven hits and one walk with six strikeouts across 4⅔ innings, throwing 63 of 92 pitches for strikes.
Hinch said the Tigers have a plan to help Turnbull improve. He will be considered to return to the Tigers in the future based on his performance with the Mud Hens.
In 2023, Turnbull has a 7.26 ERA with 15 walks and 24 strikeouts in 31 innings. He hasn’t pitched at the Triple-A level since 2019.
In his career, Turnbull owns a 12-29 record with a 4.55 ERA across 61 games (60 starts). He threw a no-hitter May 18, 2021, against the Seattle Mariners. About two months later, he underwent Tommy John surgery to reconstruct the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow.
HALL OF FAME QUESTION: Verlander coy about Hall of Fame cap, but here’s why it’s not his decision
MORE ABOUT MAX: Jim Leyland says no, but Max Scherzer praises him for ‘pushing me’ with Tigers
This story will be updated.
Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him on Twitter @EvanPetzold.