Hopes for a quick return to action for Detroit Tigers righthander Spencer Turnbull were already fading in recent weeks as the team indicated that he was still dealing with discomfort. Unfortunately, the worst scenario was confirmed Tuesday afternoon as the club announced that the 28-year-old will undergo UCL reconstruction surgery.
The timing for Turnbull couldn’t have been worse. He dealt with several minor injuries during his minor league career, denting his prospect status badly, but had finally been consistently healthy for the first time in his pro career in recent seasons. His 2021 campaign was off to a stellar start—including his no-hitter against the Seattle Mariners on May 19—but will now close with a 2.