The Detroit Tigers optioned struggling right-handed starter Spencer Turnbull to Triple-A Toledo on Sunday.
In a corresponding move, the Tigers recalled right-hander Alex Faedo from the Triple-A club.
Turnbull missed the 2022 season as he recovered from Tommy John surgery but has had a hard time returning to form. The St. Louis Cardinals roughed him up on Saturday for five runs on seven hits, including two home runs, in 4 2/3 innings. He struck out six in a game won by Detroit 6-5 in 10 innings.
On the season, the 30-year-old Turnbull is 1-4 with a 7.26 ERA. He has struck out 24 and walked 15 in 31 innings.
In 61 career games (60 starts) with the Tigers, Turnbull has a 12-29 record with a 4.55 ERA. That includes a 3-17 season in 2019 and a no-hitter against the Seattle Mariners on May 18, 2021.
Faedo, 27, was 1-5 with a 5.53 ERA in 12 starts in 2022, his rookie season. At Triple-A in 2023, he has an 0-1 record with a 2.50 ERA in 18 innings over five starts.
Faedo is set to start Sunday afternoon’s game against the Cardinals in St. Louis.