Reinforcement of Pitching Staff: Toronto Blue Jays Ink Deals with Two Pitchers
Hittin' the Pitching Market: Blue Jays Grab Urena and Turnbull
It's full steam ahead for the Toronto Blue Jays as they snag two hurlers, Jose Urena and Spencer Turnbull, aiming to boost their lacklustre pitching squad. The deals are just waiting for the duo to pass their physicals.
Turnbull, who wrapped up last season on the sidelines, was a force to be reckoned with before for the Philadelphia Phillies. Despite his injury, he boasted a 3-0 record and was used both as a starter and a reliever. He hasn't pitched a single game this season.
Urena, on the other hand, didn't fare well in his sole outing for the New York Mets, posting a whopping 15.00 ERA. He let in five earned runs in three innings and was swiftly released by the Mets post-performance.
The Blue Jays are battling to keep their head above water in the American League East. With a 16-16 record as they march into Saturday, the team is in tough.
Shore Up the Staff
The Blue Jays have been on a losing streak. Over their last 10 games, Toronto has suffered six losses. They look good while playing in Canada, but their away record leaves much to be desired – they've only managed five wins there so far this season.
The cornerstone of their rotation was supposed to be Max Scherzer. Scherzer signed a one-year deal with the Blue Jays ahead of the 2025 campaign, but an injured thumb has put a damper on his season. He's only managed to play one game thus far, which was back in March.
Predictions and Blue Jays vs. GuardiansThe Blue Jays are hoping that Turnbull and Urena can lend a hand. Although Urena struggled in his solitary outing this year, his minor league stats show promise.
Turnbull, meanwhile, brings a wealth of experience and a diverse pitching repertoire to the table, along with some much-needed leadership skills in the clubhouse.
The team is aiming to bring in more talents to help shore up their roster.
"We also need to consider external alternatives and we have a couple of things in the works there that are more on the depth front via free agency," Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins revealed on Friday, as reported by SportsNet Canada.
The Blue Jays will face off against the Cleveland Guardians on Saturday.
The Enrichment Factor
While the Blue Jays have secured the services of two pitchers, there's more to the story.
Spencer TurnbullSigned to a major league deal after making waves with the 2024 Phillies, Turnbull started last season with a remarkable 1.67 ERA over 32.1 innings before switch-hitting to the bullpen due to workload concerns[5]. His season came to an early end due to a lat strain, but the Blue Jays are optimistic about his potential. If healthy, Turnbull could bring mid-rotation reliability.
Jose UreñaAdded to the roster on a major league deal, Ureña posted a 3.80 ERA in 109 innings for the 2024 Rangers but stumbled in his brief Mets stint (5 runs in 3 innings)[5]. Ureña offers versatility, primed to serve as a hybrid arm capable of both spot starts and multi-inning relief[4][5]. His steady past performance (career 4.80 ERA) should help alleviate workload pressure on the Blue Jays' staff.
These acquisitions reflect a proactive approach to team management, focusing on short-term stability while leaving room for future adjustments[2][3][5]. The Blue Jays are clearly looking to strengthen their pitching ranks as they strive for success in the American League East.
- The Blue Jays have been trying to improve their struggling pitching team and have recently signed Jose Urena and Spencer Turnbull, hoping to turn their fortunes around before the 2025 MLB season.
- Spencer Turnbull, who was impressive with the 2024 Phillies, has been recruited to the Blue Jays on a major league deal and is expected to bring mid-rotation reliability, if he recovers from his lat strain injury.
- Jose Urena, who showed promise in his time with the 2024 Rangers but struggled with the New York Mets, has also been added to the team on a major league deal as a hybrid arm, capable of both spot starts and multi-inning relief.
- The Blue Jays are hoping that Urena and Turnbull, along with any future acquisitions, can help them compete better in the American League East, as they currently struggle with a 16-16 record and a losing streak in their last 10 games.
- Despite the addition of Turnbull and Urena, the Blue Jays' management, led by general manager Ross Atkins, is still exploring external options for further strengthening their roster to ensure short-term stability and set a strong foundation for future success.
