More MLB: Power Rankings | Expert Picks | Latest news & notes | Fantasy news
The Miami Marlins have designated right-handed starting pitcher Jacob Turner for assignment, the club announced Tuesday. Left-hander Brian Flynn was called up to take his spot on the team, but the newsworthy part of the transaction is easily Turner's DFA.
Turner was the ninth overall pick in the 2009 MLB draft and was the main piece the Marlins acquired in the trade that sent Anibal Sanchez and Omar Infante to the Tigers in 2012.
Turner has struggled this season, as he is 4-7 with a 5.97 ERA and 1.65 WHIP. Still, he's only 23 and last year had a 3.74 ERA in 20 starts. Also, a few advanced stats show he had pretty bad luck this season, such as a 4.01 FIP, 3.93 xFIP and .368 allowed batting average on balls in play.
Contending teams in hope of landing a fifth starter via waiver-trade might have interest in Turner, though he may not get there. Considering the claim order begins with teams with the worst record in the same league, Turner seems a decent fit for, say, the Cubs -- especially after seeing the wonders pitching coach Chris Bosio has worked on Jake Arrieta, for example. There may be several other teams willing to try a "change of scenery" fix with Turner, too.
