When Spencer Turnbull was removed from Wednesday’s start in Detroit at just 36 pitches, the state of the Phillies’ rotation became unknown. Turnbull was already taking the place of Taijuan Walker who had a right finger injury.
On Thursday, the Phillies shared that Turnbull would be put on the 15-day Injured List with a right lat strain. Yunior Marte was recalled from Triple-A to fill his spot. Rob Thomson revealed pregame that Turnbull would miss 6-8 weeks.
Spencer Turnbull
Turnbull’s Wednesday start was his first since April 30th. He went 3 IP, walking 2 and allowing a solo homer. He had been effective for the Phillies, more so as a starter than a reliever. As a starter, he had a pristine 1.76 ERA with a 0.849 WHIP in 35.1 IP. As a reliever, he had a 4.26 ERA with a 1.421 WHIP. He had been better of late, allowing just 2 runs in his late 10 innings out of the pen.
The future of the rotation would now include rookie Michael Mercado. He made his MLB debut against the Tigers with a clean inning out of the bullpen with his 1st strikeout. Before joining the Phillies, Mercado had started 10 games for the IronPigs. Overall in Triple-A, Mercado had a sterling 1.71 ERA in 47.1 IP.
Mercado was acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays in a trade for Adam Leverett in November. Leverett has been between Double-A and Triple-A for the Rays, posting a 4.47 ERA in 54.1 total innings.
Rob Thomson would not indicate when exactly Mercado would be joining the rotation. Turnbull’s spot comes up on Tuesday in Atlanta but the Phillies have an off day on Monday and could skip that spot in the rotation.
Thomson said the Mercado could be available out of the bullpen the next couple of days.
Yunior Marte will re-join the bullpen to replace Turnbull’s roster spot. Before his injury, Marte had shown signs of improvement out of the pen. He had a 2.70 ERA in 13.1 IP. He has a career 4.92 ERA.
Photo Credit: (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
