The Detroit Tigers roster is headlined by it's young rotation, and with two of their 2021 starters out for most or all of 2022, The Tigers have been forced to fill the holes they left behind with their injuries, and today they started that process by signing LHP Eduardo Rodriguez to a
5-year, 77-80 Million Dollar contract. Last season Detroit lost starting pitchers, Matthew Boyd & Spencer Turnbull, and although it's true that Boyd's future in MoTown could be in question too, it's best to focus on Turnbull who was the bigger story in 2021.
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Starting with Boyd, he was chosen by AJ Hinch as the opening day starter in 2021. He had a much better start to the 2021 season than 2020, but in the end still struggled. In 15 games, Boyd, had 3 wins, and 8 losses, he ended his season with a 3.89 ERA, improving from his 2020 season, where he had a 6.71 ERA, at the end of the season. Boyd finished 2021 on the IR. He underwent surgery to repair the Flexor Tendon in his left arm (Pitching arm). He is more likely to return in 2022...
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Spencer Turnbull is the interesting story after his up & down 2021 season. He was coming off of what would be considered a great year for a 28 year old pitcher trying to make a name for himself on a rebuilding team, finishing with a .500 win percentage with 4 wins and 4 losses. He finished 2020 with a solid ERA of 3.97. Detroit fans were optimistic about his potential for the 2021 season, and he got off to a good start, looking like a career year, and it was for the short amount of time he spent on the mound. He finally established himself, and on May 18th, 2021 on the road against the Seattle Mariners he completed one of a pitchers biggest accomplishments, With rookie Catcher/Outfielder, and Designated Hitter, Eric Haase behind the plate Turnbull threw a NO-HITTER. A moment he will never forget, and the same go's for Haase. It was the highlight of his season of course, but, unfortunately he suffered the lowest of low's in July, by having to undergo Tommy John Surgery, ending his career year, and potentially his 2022 season.
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What does Spencer's future in Detroit look like?.
When you think of the Tigers rotation, "youth" first comes to mind. You also think of Mize, Skubal, Manning, and now Eduardo Rodriguez. With the Tigers Off-season not over, and high expectations still in place, it's easy to believe that Al Avila, and Detroit is looking to add another starting pitcher to their 2022 roster, and the pitcher & deal could seal Turnbull's fate. With E-Rod's 5-year contract and the other 3 youngster's mentioned earlier expected to be in the rotation long term, that leaves just one spot open in the Tigers rotation. Boyd is expected to be back first and if Detroit doesn't add another starting pitcher, then Boyd will have the opportunity to show AJ Hinch why he deserves the 5th spot in the rotation. Although, this off-season is stacked with pitching talent and starters like Justin Verlander, Jon Gray, Noah Syndergaurd, Marcus Stroman, and others still searching for a contract with a new team, leaving me to believe the Tigers will add another starter. If it is anything more than a 1-2 year deal, then Spencer Turnbull could become the odd man out, not to mention Turnbull is 29 years old approaching age 30, he is older than any of the 4 starters in the Tigers rotation in 2022. He is in a similar situation as Michael Fulmer found himself in, in 2019. Although, Turnbull didn't burst onto the scene quite like Fulmer, who won the Rookie of the Year award in 2016. Michael Fulmer had a long recovery and was put in the bullpen after the surgery. Raising the question is Turnbull going to have to head to the bullpen in 2023 and will he stay there?. Or will Detroit do what they can to move Turnbull?. As the off-season go's on the answer will become more clear.
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Thanks for the read
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