Spencer Turnbull
Many may find it shocking to see Spencer Turnbull on this list. After all, hasn’t he been one of the better free agent signings that the Phillies made this past offseason? Inked to a one-year contract worth just $2 million, he has been everything the Phillies had wished for.
When he filled in for Taijuan Walker in the rotation at the beginning of the season, Turnbull was spectacular, going 2-0 with a stellar 1.67 ERA and 0.84 WHIP, giving up just six earned runs with 36 strikeouts in just 32 1/3 innings over six starts.
On the season, Turnbull has compiled a perfect 3-0 record with a 2.65 ERA, 154 ERA+, 1.05 WHIP, along with 20 walks and 58 strikeouts in 54 1/3 innings in 17 total appearances. So he must be a sure keeper for the Phillies, no?
Well, the reality could actually be quite cruel. Turnbull has been sidelined with a right lat strain since the end of June, with the expected timeline of his recovery to be at least six to eight weeks, perhaps even more. So, he may not be back until the last month of the season.
If Walker gets healthy and rediscovers his splitter, or someone like Michael Mercado or Tyler Phillips steps up to fill the fifth spot in the rotation, there could be no room for Turnbull in the starting five when he returns.
How about the bullpen? As a reliever, Turnbull has had less success so far, posting a 4.26 ERA and 1.42 WHIP, giving up 19 hits, eight walks and 20 strikeouts in 19 innings. With many other options available in the Phillies’ bullpen who are putting up better numbers, they would also be ahead of him in the pecking order.
With every big league roster spot serving an important purpose for a contending Phillies team, Turnbull may have to face the harsh reality of being squeezed out of a role for just not being at the right place at the right time.