Updates on Painter and Walker’s injuries and moves
Walker is slated to conduct live batting practice at Citizens Bank Park on July 27 after conducting a bullpen session at Target Field in Minnesota on July 24. Before he returns to the lineup, he will eventually require at least a number of rehab starts.
Walker has had trouble finding his splitter this season; manager Rob Thomson speculated that the problem could be related to inflammation and a blister on Walker’s right index finger. Walker had started the season on the injured list due to right shoulder pain. On June 23, he was put on the IL.
Walker has been locating his pitches better, according to Thomson, and his splitter has shown substantially improved in recent bullpen sessions with more movement. When Walker initially on the injured list, Thomson stated that Walker’s ability to successfully throw the ball and restore his splitter grip would determine how long he would be sidelined. (Updated as of July 22.)
Spencer Turnbull, RHP (strained right latis)
Anticipated return: Late August Turnbull began playing catch in Clearwater, Florida, on July 13. According to manager Rob Thomson, Turnbull should be able to toss from 120 feet on flat ground somewhere in the week of July 22–28. If all goes according to plan, he might be able to throw a bullpen by the end of the week.
Turnbull made his return to the rotation on June 26, but he departed after just three innings after feeling a “little grab” on his penultimate pitch. He was diagnosed with a right lat strain and placed on the 15-day IL the following day.
“It’s probably going to be six weeks, could be eight weeks,” Thomson said at the time.
That would put Turnbull in line to return in mid-August, though he’d need a rehab stint to ramp back up at that point. (Last updated: July 21)
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