What’s tougher than a curveball on a cold night? Maybe navigating a pro baseball career after injuries! Former Alabama pitcher Spencer Turnbull is making headlines again, but not for strikes. Get the inside scoop on his challenging 2025 season and how other Crimson Tide stars are shaking up the NFL and NBA G League. Will he find his rhythm again?
Former Alabama baseball standout Spencer Turnbull recently faced a significant setback in his professional career, being released by the Triple-A Iowa Cubs. This development marks another challenging chapter in what has been a tumultuous 2025 season for the seasoned pitcher, highlighting the unpredictable nature of minor league baseball and the relentless pursuit of a major league roster spot.
Turnbull’s departure from the Chicago Cubs organization came after he opted out of his minor league deal, a decision following a challenging six-start stint with the Iowa Cubs. Reporting indicated the 32-year-old’s choice to seek new opportunities underscores the competitive environment within professional baseball, where players constantly evaluate their paths to the big leagues.
The 2025 campaign has been particularly difficult for Turnbull, who began the year as a free agent, unsigned through spring training. His initial break came in early May with the Toronto Blue Jays, who quickly called him up to the major league roster. However, this promising opportunity was short-lived, as he was designated for assignment just over two weeks later after making only three appearances with the Blue Jays.
His brief time in the majors this year saw him record a 7.11 earned run average across 6.1 innings, a statistic reflecting the struggles he has encountered on the mound. Compounding these performance issues, Turnbull has grappled with a series of injury problems over the past several seasons, including a lat strain in June 2024 that prematurely ended his season while he was pitching effectively for Philadelphia.
This persistent bad fortune on the hill has cast a shadow over his recent career, demonstrating how quickly fortunes can change for even talented athletes. The physical demands of professional baseball often lead to career interruptions, and Turnbull’s journey is a testament to the resilience required to navigate such challenges in the pursuit of sustained success.
Beyond the baseball diamond, the broader landscape of Alabama athletics continues to generate significant news across various professional sports. Recent developments include a blockbuster trade in the National Football League involving another former Crimson Tide star, highlighting the far-reaching impact of Alabama athletes in top-tier leagues.
Specifically, the Dallas Cowboys made waves by sending three-time All-Pro Micah Parsons, a prominent NFL player, to the Green Bay Packers. This high-profile transaction immediately drew reactions from former Alabama cornerback Trevon Diggs, who shared his thoughts on social media, underscoring the interconnectedness of former Alabama athletes in the professional sports world and their continued presence in football news.
Adding to the collegiate sports updates, former Alabama men’s basketball guard Kira Lewis Jr. has also been on the move. He was recently acquired by the Wisconsin Herd, the NBA G League affiliate of the Milwaukee Bucks, through a trade with the Capital City Go-Go, marking another significant career step for a former Crimson Tide player in the NBA G League.
