Tigers call up Spencer Turnbull, Matt Hall from Triple-A Toledo

As expected, the Detroit Tigers called up right-handed pitcher Spencer Turnbull and lefthander Matt Hall on Tuesday. To make room for Hall on the 40-man roster, the Tigers designated right-handed reliever Johnny Barbato for assignment.

Brandon already hit the nuts and bolts of this move on Monday:

The 25-year-old Turnbull, selected by Detroit with their second round pick in the 2014 draft, made three strong starts for the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens since his promotion from Double-A Erie. Including a short rehab stint in Lakeland, Turnbull posted a 3.92 ERA, with 133 strikeouts and 46 walks in 119 1⁄3 innings, mainly at the Double-A level.

Hall is also 25 years of age, and was selected in the sixth round of the 2015 draft. The lefty features perhaps the best curveball in the Tigers’ system, though his fastball and changeup are mediocre and probably foretell a future role as a reliever. Hall split his season between Erie and Toledo, amassing a 2.13 ERA, with 135 strikeouts and 35 walks across 114 1⁄3 innings of work.

Hall celebrated the call-up with a picture that will certainly warrant a tear or two.

The Tigers have not yet announced their starting rotation for this weekend’s series against the Cleveland Indians, but manager Ron Gardenhire indicated that they would use a six-man rotation for the remainder of the season. Assuming the five starters currently on the roster stay put, that leaves one spot for either Hall or Turnbull in the rotation. My guess would be the former gets a start while Turnbull moves to the bullpen, but either combination would be an exciting end to the season for a Tigers team headed for another 90-loss season in 2018.