Spencer Turnbull exits with shoulder soreness, but Brandon Marsh powers Phillies to series win vs. Tigers

DETROIT — A few days ago, as Spencer Turnbull braced for his return to the Phillies’ starting rotation, he noted that his right arm felt strong and healthy after six weeks in the bullpen.

“Knock on wood,” he said.

Turnbull glanced around the dugout. He closed his fist and tapped the bat rack three times before wondering, “I don’t know if that’s plastic or wood.” Maybe he should’ve double-checked.

» READ MORE: As Spencer Turnbull returns to starting rotation, he’ll face the Tigers — where he spent 10 years

Of all the ways that Turnbull imagined his first start back in Detroit going, this wasn’t it. No, he didn’t get rocked by his former team. Instead, he left after 36 pitches — and only three innings — with what the Phillies classified as “right shoulder soreness” pending further evaluation.

“Hopefully it’s nothing serious,” Turnbull said after the Phillies pocketed another victory anyway, 6-2 over the Tigers, won another series, and crossed another day off the calendar. “I wanted to tell them when I felt it. Didn’t want to do anything to make it worse. I think I’ll be all right.”

Slumping Brandon Marsh went 4-for-4 with his first home run in two months and four RBIs, while a relay team of relievers — Gregory Soto, José Ruiz, Matt Strahm, Orion Kerkering, and Jeff Hoffman — held the Tigers to one hit in six scoreless innings before José Alvarado gave up a run in the ninth.

But as the Phillies raised their majors-leading record to 53-27 — with a four-game series at home against the woebegone, injury-depleted Marlins on tap beginning Thursday night — there’s suddenly a question about the No. 5 spot in baseball’s best starting rotation.

For what it’s worth, Turnbull seemed unconcerned that the sensation on his second-to-last pitch — “A little grab in the back of my triceps, shoulder area,” as he put it — is anything to lose sleep over. He will see the medical staff Thursday in Philadelphia, although he wasn’t sure which, if any, diagnostic tests would be taken.

It was unlike anything Turnbull felt previously, and trust him, he’s been through a lot since making his major-league debut for the Tigers in September 2018. He’s had shoulder, back, forearm, and elbow problems, including Tommy John surgery in 2021. Last year, he missed time with a fracture in his neck and an issue with a toe.

» READ MORE: From spring training: Spencer Turnbull hasn’t been the same since his no-hitter. Now he’s aiming for a revival with the Phillies.

“I don’t know what it is about this place,” Turnbull said, chuckling. “I don’t know if it’s cursed or what, but can’t seem to stay healthy here. I’m glad to get out of here. Hopefully just getting back to Philly I’ll feel better in the morning.”

Maybe the Phillies will get that lucky. And the whole thing would be a much larger concern if, say, they didn’t have a 7½-game lead in the NL East. But Turnbull was already stepping in for Taijuan Walker, who went on the injured list last weekend with an inflamed right index finger.

And the pitching depth at triple A is lacking, to put it kindly.

Walker isn’t eligible to return until July 7 at the earliest, so he will miss at least another start next Tuesday in Chicago. He accompanied the team to Detroit but wasn’t ready to test his finger by attempting to throw his signature splitter, the pitch that is most affected by the injury.

Manager Rob Thomson said Michael Mercado would be next in line. The Phillies called up Mercado to take Turnbull’s seat out in the bullpen, and he made his major-league debut Monday night.

Although Mercado was starting in triple A, the plan was to move him back to a relief role to control his workload. He did throw 91 pitches in back-to-back triple-A starts earlier this month, and had a 1.98 ERA in 10 starts for Lehigh Valley.

“He’s not that far away from his last start, so he’s still stretched out,” Thomson said. “I’m pretty confident in that.”

» READ MORE: Brandon and Erin Marsh have always been there for each other, from Olympic trials to Red Octobers to their greatest loss

Regardless of how it turned out, Turnbull conceded that this wasn’t a normal start. He filed a grievance against the Tigers last season after they optioned him to the minors while he was injured. He won and recouped major-league service time. But the Tigers didn’t offer him a contract for this season.

So, yes, Turnbull had some strong emotions when he took the mound at Comerica Park.

“It was weird,” he said. “I was very nervous. Wasn’t sure how to feel. A lot of nerves and butterflies. Just a strange one, for sure. I’m kind of glad to get it behind me and hopefully be ready for my next start next week.”

Turnbull gave up a leadoff homer to Matt Vierling on his second pitch of the game and dealt with some control issues. But he appeared to have settled in by the third inning when he uncorked a curveball to Vierling and felt a twinge in his shoulder.

Marsh broke a 1-1 tie in the fourth inning with his first homer since April 26, a two-run opposite-field shot against Tigers reliever Keider Montero, who was recalled from triple A before the game. Marsh added a two-run single in the fifth.

It marked the fourth career four-hit game for Marsh, who entered the game in a 5-for-27 rut.

» READ MORE: Busting out of his slump shows ‘maturity’ of Phillies’ Alec Bohm, who is on his way to his first All-Star Game

“He was just staying through the baseball,” Thomson said. “The opposite-field home run tells you a lot about the swing. He was in a little bit more of ‘attack mode.’ He looked great. That was big for him.”

And now, the Phillies will await a more detailed diagnosis on the No. 5 starter.

“Just kind of a fluky thing,” Turnbull said. “Not really sure. It was kind of weird. Hopefully it’s fine. I’m not too concerned about it. Just want to be safe and make sure I’m all right.”