BIOGRAPHY
Spencer Turnbull was born September 18, 1992, in Demopolis, Alabama. He is a pitcher in the MLB.
Turnbull attended Madison Central High School in Madison, Mississippi, and the University of Alabama, where he played college baseball for the Alabama Crimson Tide. Spencer became Alabama's top starting pitcher in 2013. The Detroit Tigers selected Turnbull in the second round, with the 63rd overall selection, of the 2014 MLB draft. Spencer signed with the Tigers, receiving a $900,600 signing bonus. Spencer began his professional career with the GCL Tigers, and after one start, was promoted to the Connecticut Tigers, where he finished the season, posting an 0–2 record and 4.45 ERA in 11 starts. Spencer spent 2015 with the West Michigan Whitecaps where he was 11–3 with a 3.01 ERA and 1.35 WHIP in 22 starts.
The Tigers added him to their 40-man roster after the 2017 season. Spencer returned to Erie in 2018. Turnball started 13 games for the SeaWolves and then two games for the Toledo Mud Hens of the Class AAA International League before the Tigers promoted him to the major leagues on September 11. Spencer made his major league debut on September 14, pitching a 1-2-3 inning of relief with one strikeout against the Cleveland Indians.
On May 18, 2021, Turnbull pitched the eighth no-hitter in Tigers history against the Seattle Mariners, recording nine strikeouts and two walks in a 5–0 win. It was the first no-hitter by a Tiger since Justin Verlander's in 2011.
On June 5, 2021, Turnbull was placed on the injured list with a right forearm strain, and was transferred to the 60-day injured list on July 7 after suffering a setback in his recovery. On July 20, 2021, it was announced that Turnbull would undergo Tommy John surgery, ending his season. In nine games with Detroit in 2021, he posted a 4–2 record and 2.88 ERA.
