Turner is likely going to open the season on the disabled list due to a mild flexor strain and bone bruise on his right elbow, the Cubs' official site reports. Turner was a candidate for a rotation job this spring, but he was low on a list of candidates. Now he can be scratched off the list altogether.

Turner was diagnosed with a flexor strain and a bone bruise on his pitching elbow Tuesday and he will be shut down for now, ESPN Chicago's Jesse Rogers reports. This is troubling news for Turner, who had an outside shot at challenging for the No. 5 starter spot in Chicago. Until we learn more, it would be best to avoid Turner in most formats, as a strain to his throwing elbow could be the precursor for him missing significant time.

Turner pitched two scoreless innings in a split-squad loss to the Giants on Thursday. He walked two and struck out one. He's a bit of a long shot to win a spot in the back of the Cubs' rotation, but if he keeps putting zeroes on the board it can't hurt.

The Cubs exercised Turner's $1 million club option for 2015, the Chicago Tribune's Mark Gonzales reports. It wasn't surprising to see the Cubs roll the dice on the former top prospect midway through the season, after he posted a 5.97 ERA in 78.1 innings with the Marlins, but he was even worse after joining the Cubs, posting a 6.49 ERA in 34.2 innings. His 4.37 xFIP suggests he can be better in 2015, but his 14.2 percent K-rate from 2014 demonstrates how low the ceiling is with Turner.

Turner allowed two runs on four hits and three walks while striking out two in five innings in the Cubs' 5-2 win over the Brewers. Turner seemed to settle down after allowing 15 runs in his last three appearances. It's the fewest hits he's let up since Aug. 19. He ends the season with a 6.13 ERA.

Turner will start Sunday's game against the Brewers, the Chicago Sun-Times' Gordon Wittenmyer reports. Kyle Hendricks was anticipated to be the starter for the final game of the regular season, but with Hendricks sitting at over 180 innings this season (a career high), they decided to shut him down. This is bad news for fantasy owners, as Hendricks would have been an intriguing option, while Turner has a 6.98 ERA in 29.2 innings with the Cubs this season.

Turner lost Monday against the Blue Jays as he pitched six innings and allowed five runs (four earned), seven hits and one walk to go along with two strikeouts. Turner allowed only one run in 6.1 innings in his last start, but he followed that up with a poor performance Monday. His stuff isn't overpowering, so he is likely to continue to have trouble stringing together impressive outings.

Turner won Monday against the Brewers as he pitched 6.1 innings and allowed one run, five hits and one walk to go along with seven strikeouts. Turner has been pitching out of the bullpen of late for the Cubs, but stepped in for the injured Edwin Jackson Monday and posted an impressive outing. With Jackson not expected back anytime soon, Turner may have earned himself at least one more start.

Turner is expected to start Wednesday against the Reds, CSNChicago.com reports. The team has yet to confirm, but Turner is not listed as being available out of the bullpen Saturday and thus appears destined to take Edwin Jackson's spot in the rotation. With an off day Monday, the Cubs will likely move Travis Wood up to start Tuesday on normal rest and turn to Turner on Wednesday. Turner gave up one run in two innings of relief Tuesday in his second outing with Chicago, and now sports a 5.77 ERA and 1.60 WHIP in 22 appearances (12 starts) this season.

Turner will pitch out of the bullpen with the Cubs for the time being, MLB.com's Carrie Muskat reports. With both Kyle Hendricks and Tsuyoshi Wada pitching well for the Cubs at the two back-end spots of the rotation, Turner will have to bide his time in long relief until further notice. The 23-year-old was horrendous in both starting and bullpen capacities for the Marlins this season, but he's young enough to rebound from those woes and provide the Cubs with some long-term utility.