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Former Phillies Starter With 2.65 ERA Predicted to Join Yankees

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jon Conahan | Last updated Apr 9, 2025 11:50 AM ET

Starting pitching in MLB is the most important thing. That's why it's surprising that right-hander Spencer Turnbull, who pitched for the Philadelphia Phillies in 2024, remains on the market.

The right-hander wasn't great during his time with the Phillies, but he was certainly good enough to get another job. In just 17 appearances, with seven stars, he posted a 2.65 ERA.

Turnbull has been a starter throughout his career, but the Phillies moved him to the bullpen, and that could be hurting him.

Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report predicted where he could land, adding that it's surprising that he remains available and that the New York Yankees could use him.

"Among the 212 pitchers who logged at least 350 innings pitched from 2018-24, Turnbull's 3.83 FIP ranks 65th, slightly better than Jack Flaherty and slightly worse than Nathan Eovaldi. And he was dynamite as a swing man last season for the Phillies, making 17 appearances (seven starts) with impressive marks until a lat injury abruptly ended his season in late June.

"That injury is hardly his first. He missed most of 2021 and all of 2022 due to Tommy John surgery, and he made only seven starts in 2023 due to a neck injury. All told, he managed to pitch just 135.1 innings from 2021-24. But that injury history merely explains why Turnbull has been unable to land a fully guaranteed multiyear deal. It doesn't explain why the 32-year-old who threw a no-hitter in May 2021 can't find a one-year contract while we've got Elvin Rodriguez starting games for the Brewers, or Carlos Carrasco in the Yankees rotation," Miller wrote.

Injuries have derailed the New York Yankees, and their offense has gone quiet after the first series against the Milwaukee Brewers.

The Yankees currently sit at 6-5, which is good for a tie in first place in the American League East, but the pitching staff has to be better, and while Turnbull isn't precisely an ace, he's better than what they currently have.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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