The Philadelphia Phillies suffered another injury setback yesterday as Spencer Turnbull was yanked from his start after only 36 pitches in the third inning. It was disclosed after the game that he felt a significant discomfort in his right pitching shoulder while throwing a curveball and would be tested today to determine the severity of the ailment.
Prior to Thursday’s game against the Miami Marlins, the Phillies announced that Turnbull would be placed on the 15-day injured list with a right lat strain. Yunior Marte was brought up from Triple-A Lehigh Valley in the equivalent transaction.
Phillies recall struggling reliever after losing Spencer Turnbull to the disabled list.
While Turnbull’s lat strain is expected to keep him out for six to eight weeks, the fact that there was no structural damage to his pitching shoulder is good news for the Phillies, who avoided losing a vital piece of rotation depth. Following yesterday’s 6-2 victory over the Detroit Tigers, manager Rob Thomson stated that youngster Michael Mercado will make his debut early next week, with Turnbull and Taijuan Walker both on the injured list.
With Turnbull joining the IL, the Phillies needed another arm out of the bullpen. The team chose to recall Marte from Triple-A Lehigh Valley. The 29-year-old right-hander, who recently finished a rehab stay after being placed on the injured list in May due to right shoulder irritation, was optioned to Lehigh Valley on Tuesday.
Marte got pounded by Triple-A hitters in 11 innings of pitching for Lehigh Valley, surrendering 13 runs (nine earned) and having an unimpressive ERA of 7.36, seven walks, and 11 strikeouts. He was solid in his past two minor league appearances, giving no runs or walks and striking out three in two innings. Marte will return to the Phillies bullpen and try to build on his recent success against MLB batters.
Marte was solid in his initial stay with the Phillies before being placed on the IL. In 12 appearances, he had a 2.70 ERA with 12 strikeouts in 13 1/3 innings. Marte was expected to return to the major leagues after finishing his rehab stint, but his ineffectiveness with the IronPigs and the emergence of José Ruiz as a solid bullpen arm were the decisive reasons in optioning him back to Triple-A.
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