Chicago Cubs infielder Justin Turner will get the starting nod at first base on Sunday when the Cubs conclude their series against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Turner will cover first base, which will move Michael Busch to the bench. Turner has not received a start through their first four games, but he has been deployed as a pinch-hitter twice. Across two plate appearances, Turner drew one walk and did not tally a hit. Fantasy managers should monitor how the Cubs set their lineup going forward, as Turner may be the primary first baseman when facing southpaws in favor of Busch. Last season, Turner posted a .259/.354/.383 slash line with 11 home runs. The 40-year-old is a viable budget option in DFS this afternoon, facing Arizona southpaw Eduardo Rodriguez.

The Athletic's Patrick Mooney writes that the Chicago Cubs could pair the recently-signed Justin Turner, who hits right-handed, with left-handed-hitting Michael Busch at first base in 2025 while also getting him additional at-bats as the designated hitter. Turner has mainly played third base in his 16-year MLB career, but it's unclear how much the Cubs will use him there given his age (40) and the organization's high hopes for top prospect Matt Shaw (oblique). Shaw is dealing with an oblique injury early in camp, but as long as he's healthy, he's the favorite to be the team's Opening Day third baseman after the Cubs didn't sign Alex Bregman in free agency. Turner's power numbers have dropped considerably in recent seasons, but his presence as an option at first base against left-handers is a hit to Busch's overall fantasy upside in 2025.

The Chicago Cubs have signed infielder Justin Turner to a one-year contract worth $6 million. Throughout the offseason, the Cubs have shown interest in adding depth to their infield. They were considered a top landing spot for Alex Bregman but have begun to pivot towards Turner once he signed with the Boston Red Sox. In addition, their top prospect, Matt Shaw (oblique), who is expected to be the team's starting third baseman, suffered a minor injury during the first week of spring training. Turner will provide much-needed depth at this position. Last season, Turner spent time with the Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners. Across 139 games, the 40-year-old posted a .259/.354/.383 line with 11 home runs. He showed a strong eye at the plate with a 10.9 percent walk rate and a 17.6 percent strikeout rate, both well above the average marks. Even though Turner primarily played at first base last season, he has spent most of his career at the hot corner and will likely see time at both positions in Chicago. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor Shaw's progression and development, as he could enter a timeshare with Turner if he were to struggle early on at the major league level. However, if Shaw is able to adjust well in the majors, Turner could find a role as the No. 2 option behind first baseman ... [More]

According to Patrick Mooney and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Chicago Cubs have expressed interest in signing free-agent infielder Justin Turner if they cannot reach a deal with Alex Bregman. The Cubs have begun to emerge as contenders for Bregman but have also begun to find alternative options if they cannot complete a deal. Turner spent the 2024 season with the Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners. Across 139 contests, the veteran posted a .259/.354/.383 slash line with 24 doubles and 11 home runs. He showed a strong eye at the plate with a 10.9 percent walk rate and a 17.6 percent strikeout rate, which were both well above the average marks. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor Bregman's status as he would significantly affect the Chicago depth chart. If he signs in Chicago, he will cover the hot corner, limiting top prospect Matt Shaw's opportunities. However, if Turner were to sign with Chicago, Shaw may still be able to find a path to make the Opening Day roster if he performs well during spring training.

According to Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News, free-agent first baseman Justin Turner could be a good fit for the Texas Rangers. With the Rangers looking to improve their production against southpaws, Turner could fit that bill. Last season facing southpaws, Turner posted a .252/.355/.403 slash line with nine doubles, three home runs, and a 17:25 BB:K. While Nathaniel Lowe will likely operate as the No. 1 first baseman in 2025, Turner would provide a depth option at the position and could also see time on the strong side of a platoon at the DH spot. In addition to his solid bat, Turner showcased great on-base skills last season, boasting a 10.9% walk rate and 17.6% strikeout rate. Fantasy managers in points leagues and formats that score on-base percentage should consider Turner as a deeper value target in drafts.

Seattle Mariners infielder Justin Turner (knee) is in Sunday's starting lineup and will cover first base. He will bat in the five-hole. The veteran was lifted from Saturday's game after hitting a foul ball off his knee. The injury does not seem serious as the 39-year-old will rejoin the starting nine. Since September 12, Turner has been carrying an excellent .334/.395/.625 line with three doubles, two home runs, and a 4:10 BB:K ratio. Turner has shown an excellent eye at the plate with a strong 11.0% walk rate and a 17.8% K rate which are both significant above the average marks. Turner is worth a look as a value play in DFS this afternoon given his hot stretch. He will face Houston southpaw Andrew Heaney who carries a 3.89 ERA into Sunday's game.

Seattle Mariners first baseman/designated hitter Justin Turner and outfielder Mitch Haniger will start Wednesday's contest against the Tampa Bay Rays at T-Mobile Park on the bench. Luke Raley is at first base and is hitting sixth, while Victor Robles is starting in right field and batting in the nine-hole against Rays right-hander Drew Rasmussen. Catcher Cal Raleigh will serve as the DH. Since landing in Seattle via trade from the Toronto Blue Jays at the deadline at the end of July, the veteran Turner has essentially become a short-side platoon player, mostly starting against lefties. He's done very little with less playing time, too, going 15-for-73 (.205) with a homer, 10 RBI and 17 K's in his first 22 games with the team. As the M's look to make a move in the AL West, the right-handed-hitting Haniger may find himself on the bench more often against righties. He's batting only .210 on the year with 12 homers and 44 RBI.

Seattle Mariners corner infielder Justin Turner (hand) is back in the starting lineup ahead of Wednesday's game against the Detroit Tigers. The 39-year-old was removed from Tuesday's game after getting hit by a pitch in the hand. Luckily, the X-rays came back negative for any fractures. Turner will play first base and bat cleanup versus southpaw Tarik Skubal on Wednesday.

Seattle Mariners DH Justin Turner had a big night in his team's lopsided 10-2 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday. Turner went 2-for-4 with a grand slam to help power his new team to the win. The veteran's second-inning homer traveled 397 feet with an exit velocity of 101.1 MPH and gave the Mariners an 8-0 lead. It was his first home run in a Seattle uniform after the Mariners acquired him at the trade deadline earlier in the week. Overall, Turner is hitting .261 with seven homers, 38 runs, and 37 RBI across 314 at-bats this season.

The Seattle Mariners are acquiring veteran corner infielder/designated hitter Justin Turner from the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday, according to sources. The Blue Jays will receive an unnamed minor-leaguer in return. As the Mariners continue to seek offense, they will add the 39-year-old right-handed hitter as an option at either first base or designated hitter down the stretch in 2024. Turner is definitely no longer in his prime, but he's an experienced hitter and two-time All-Star that will bring veteran leadership to the M's clubhouse. Entering Monday's action, he was hitting a modest .254/.349/.371 with six home runs, 31 RBI and 37 runs scored in 347 trips to the plate over 89 games in his first and only season in Toronto. Turner's fantasy value shouldn't be drastically affected one way or another with the move, although he's heading from a hitter-friendly environment to a more pitcher-friendly one.UPDATE: The Blue Jays are receiving outfield prospect RJ Schreck in return.

Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter Justin Turner is out of the starting lineup on Wednesday versus the visiting Houston Astros, and the team has a paternity list move pending for him after his wife went into labor on Wednesday. When Turner is officially placed on the paternity list, he'll likely be away from the team for three days. The 39-year-old veteran had started each of the team's last nine games and probably could have used the day off on Wednesday anyway, although he did go 10-for-27 with two doubles, five RBI, four runs scored and 11 walks in the last nine games. George Springer is serving as the DH and is moving up to the leadoff spot, while rookie Addison Barger is starting in right field and batting eighth on Wednesday against Astros right-hander Ronel Blanco, who has the only no-hitter in baseball so far in 2024.UPDATE: Turner was officially placed on the paternity list.

Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter Justin Turner and outfielder Kevin Kiermaier are both starting on the bench for Monday's contest in Chicago against the White Sox. Turner has lost playing time of late, with this being the third time in the last five games that he finds himself on the bench to start. Kiermaier, meanwhile, will ride the pine for the second straight day. Daniel Vogelbach is serving as the DH and will hit fifth, while Daulton Varsho starts in center field and bats sixth against White Sox right-handed rookie Nick Nastrini. Davis Schneider is in left field and is batting leadoff for the Jays. Turner has had a disastrous month of May, hitting .102 (6-for-59) without a home run to drop his season line to .222/.301/.359. Kiermaier hasn't been much better in 2024, hitting .226 (.21-for-93) with only one homer and seven RBI.

Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter Justin Turner (illness) is back in the lineup on Friday, serving as the DH and batting cleanup against the visiting Tampa Bay Rays and left-hander Tyler Alexander. Turner missed a few games this week while feeling under the weather, but he's back in there for the start of a series against the Rays. The 39-year-old veteran should be returned to starting fantasy lineups in redraft leagues. He's gone hitless in his last 16 plate appearances over four games but does have two home runs and five RBI in five career at-bats against Alexander. On the year, Turner has slashed .246/.317/.405 with four home runs, 16 RBI and 17 runs scored in 126 at-bats.

Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter Justin Turner (illness) is not in the team's starting lineup on Wednesday against the Baltimore Orioles. Turner was under the weather on Tuesday and was scheduled to sit out, but the contest in Baltimore was postponed due to inclement weather. However, the 39-year-old veteran is still feeling bad on Wednesday and will not play. The Blue Jays have a scheduled day off on Thursday, so perhaps Turner is feeling good enough to play on Friday in the series opener against the Tampa Bay Rays. The left-handed hitting Daniel Vogelbach is serving as the DH on Wednesday and will hit seventh against Orioles right-hander Kyle Bradish. On the year to this point, Turner is slashing a modest .250/.321/.411 with four home runs, 16 RBI and 17 runs scored in his first 36 games with Toronto.

Updating a previous report, Toronto Blue Jays outfielder George Springer (illness) and Kevin Kiermaier (illness) and designated hitter Justin Turner (illness) are both out sick on Monday against the Baltimore Orioles. Springer missed Friday and Saturday while being sick but was able to return on Sunday before going 0-for-4 with two strikeouts. It appears he's still not feeling great and will sit out another game. Turner is sick and in a slump of late, so a day off second consecutive day off should do him well. Kiermaier will miss his fourth straight game. Cavan Biggio is in right field and batting eighth, Daniel Vogelbach is the DH and is hitting fifth, while Daulton Varsho is in center field and batting second against Orioles right-hander Corbin Burnes. ... [More]

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder George Springer and designated hitter Justin Turner are both sitting out on Monday for the series opener against the Orioles in Baltimore. With both veterans resting, Cavan Biggio is in right field and is hitting eighth, while Daniel Vogelbach is the DH and is batting fifth against Orioles right-hander Corbin Burnes. Davis Schneider is in left field and is hitting leadoff for the Blue Jays. Springer missed Friday and Saturday against the Minnesota Twins but returned on Sunday to go 0-for-4 with two strikeouts. The 34-year-old has struggled so far in 2024 with a .200 average (29-for-145), three homers and six stolen bases. Turner has one hit in his last 22 at-bats in his last five starts, so he'll be on the bench for the second straight game. None of Toronto's replacements on Monday will be particularly attractive in DFS against Burnes.

Toronto Blue Jays first baseman/designated hitter Justin Turner did his part in Monday's 6-5 win over the Royals. Turner went 2-for-5 with a two-run home run, a solo HR, and a strikeout. The 39-year-old veteran has continued to provide fantasy value late into his career and is now slashing .311/.390/.533 with four HR and 15 RBI in 105 plate appearances. He should continue to be a reliable source of batting average with some pop.

Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter Justin Turner hit his second home run of the season in Friday's 5-1 win over the Padres. It was a solo shot, and he also added an RBI single. The veteran has six multi-hit games on the year and is now batting a robust .345 on the young season, with two home runs, 11 RBI, and eight runs scored.

Free-agent infielder/designated hitter Justin Turner signed a one-year deal with a $13 million base salary on Tuesday with the Toronto Blue Jays, according to a source. The deal includes $1.5 million in roster and performance bonuses for the 2024 season. While Turner can play both third and first base, he's primarily expected to serve as Toronto's primary designated hitter as he heads into his age-40 season. After whiffing on some other big bats in free agency, Turner will provide excellent clubhouse leadership and some extra pop from the right side of the plate. He had a career-high 96 RBI for the Boston Red Sox in 2023 while also slashing .276/.345/.455 with 23 home runs. Staying in the American League East and moving to another hitter-friendly ballpark should help his cause as a corner infield option with good on-base skills and some modest power.