Spencer Turnbull will undergo tests after leaving Wednesday’s game against the Detroit Tigers with right shoulder soreness, Phillies manager Rob Thomson told reporters in Detroit, including the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Scott Lauber and The Athletic’s Matt Gelb.
Thomson said that Turnbull felt something in the back of his shoulder on his second-to-last pitch of the day, a curveball for a ball to Matt Vierling. Thomson said that the Phillies will know more about his status on Thursday after more testing is done.
“Don’t want to take any chances,” Thomson told reporters in Detroit.
Turnbull was removed after three innings in the Phillies’ 6-2 win against the Tigers. The bullpen behind him allowed only one earned run over six innings.
In the event that Turnbull needs to miss time, Michael Mercado would be “the leading candidate” to take his spot, according to Thomson.
It is an unfortunate break for Turnbull, who was making his first start in the rotation since April 30. His first start back timed up perfectly, as he was set to face off against Detroit, a place where he spent the first five seasons of his career. There were some hard feelings regarding his exit and the way the club treated him last season as he battled injuries, so Turnbull came into the game with something to prove.
Quotes were retrieved via Phillies Postgame Live on NBC Sports Philadelphia.