Spencer Turnbull had one month to make an impression in the Phillies rotation. He was there to keep the seat warm for Taijuan Walker, who missed the beginning of the season with a shoulder injury.
Walker was always going to get his spot back. He threw 172 2/3 innings for the Phillies in his first season with the club. He pitched consistently deep enough into games to be a 15-game winner. Walker was also in the first season of a 72 million dollar contract.
When Walker was ready, his spot was going to be open. But things became more interesting when Turnbull proved himself to be more than just a depth starter.
In six starts, the right-hander went 2-0 with a 1.67 ERA. He flirted with a second career no-hitter in his fourth start against the White Sox. He led the National League in ERA by the end.
The rotation situation became the envy of the league. In a world where starting pitchers are hard to find and even harder to keep healthy, the Phillies had more starters than rotation spots open.
It’s a great problem to have, but that doesn’t make solving it easy, as Rob Thomson summed up over the weekend.
That led to Thomson having to make an uncomfortable decision.
Turnbull, despite his hot start to the season, was going to fulfilling the long man role the Phillies had him penciled in for at the end of spring training. He could become the right-handed Matt Strahm and pitch both high leverage and multiple innings.
The Phillies would also like to keep him somewhat stretched out as a starter, but that runs counterintuitive to the role they would like him to take down in the bullpen. It could mean a spot start or two with Cristopher Sánchez also spending some time in the bullpen.
It’s messy, but the Phillies hope the plan, whatever it really is, works.
In the meantime, Walker and Sánchez will have to continue pitching well in order to stay in the rotation.
Walker, despite giving up a home run in the seventh inning for a second consecutive start, did his job. He allowed three earned runs over 6 1/3, striking out seven batters. Five Giants hitters were called out on strikes, which is a good indication of how deceptive Walker was to the struggling Giants lineup that eventually scored more than three runs in a game for the first time since April 23.
Walker is lined up to pitch against the Marlins, Mets and Rangers. The Giants could see him once again later this month in San Francisco.
By that point, Walker would have to be pitching well in order to keep his spot. Or something could come up and Turnbull is needed again in the rotation.
Things have a way of working out. It all goes back to the rotation conundrum being a good problem. Around this time last year, Ranger Suárez was getting ready to be activated off the injured list. As Bailey Falter struggled, alternatives were discussed, but nothing was seriously considered because the Phillies had a shortage of major league caliber arms.
After the game, a reporter asked Walker if he discussed the situation with Turnbull. Did anything need to be hashed out between the two after Walker took over his spot?
No, according to Walker. It’s a long season and something will happen that will trigger a need for another starter.
“Hash what out?” Walker said with a smile.
“I think everyone knows that he did an amazing job,” Walker said. “He’s going to be back in the rotation at some point, probably. It’s a long season and it’s very rare to go through a long season with just five starters. He did a heck of a job and we’re going to need him. I know he’s going to be nasty out of the bullpen. For him to, very last minute, step into the rotation the way he did, is honestly phenomenal.”
The Phillies wake up Monday morning with the best record in baseball and a real chance at sweeping the Giants in four games. Scranton native Mason Black will make his MLB debut against Zack Wheeler.
Part of the reason why this team is in this position is because the pitching depth has significantly improved.
“Our starting pitching, every time they go out, they’ve been absolutely lights out,” Bryce Harper said. “Whenever you have that, the ability to win is way higher, right?”
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