The Detroit Tigers will be without their ace for the remainder of the season, but should hopefully have him back in time for the 2018 campaign.
After winning the AL Rookie of the Year award last season, Michael Fulmer made the first All-Star appearance of his still very young career in 2017. He and Justin Upton, who has now been traded to the Los Angeles Angels, were the Detroit Tigers‘ only two representatives at the Midsummer Classic this year.
Clearly, Fulmer has been one of the few bright spots in what has been a rough season for the Tigers. However, it now appears that his season will be ending a bit prematurely. According to Jason Beck of MLB.com, Fulmer is set to undergo ulnar nerve transposition surgery on Tuesday, sidelining him for the remainder of the year.
According to Beck, the recovery period is likely to last three to four months, which, if everything goes according to plan, would obviously give him enough time to be ready for Spring Training in February of 2018. Previously, Fulmer had been placed on the 10-day DL with right elbow ulnar neuritis in early August, but returned to make four more starts between the middle and end of the month. In his last outing, he surrendered five earned runs over 6.1 innings of work against the Colorado Rockies on Aug. 29.
Though his numbers on the season are not quite as crisp as last year’s (11-7, 3.06 ERA), Fulmer ends his 2017 campaign with a 10-12 record, a solid 3.83 ERA and and a 1.15 WHIP. Prior to the All-Star break, Fulmer’s ERA sat at 3.19, but he posted a 5.33 mark over eight starts in the second half.
Starting rotation questions for 2018
Going into next season, there will likely be many questions and uncertainties regarding the Tigers’ starting rotation. After the trade of Justin Verlander to the Houston Astros, Fulmer has undoubtedly ascended to the role of the team’s ace. However, after Fulmer, there are few sure things in the Tigers’ starting staff.
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Jordan Zimmermann will be entering the third season of a five-year, $110 million deal. Aside from an outstanding month of April back in 2016, Zimmermann has battled injuries and underperformed during his time in Detroit. He has scarcely resembled the pitcher he was with the Washington Nationals.
Anibal Sanchez, who has a $16 million team option with a $5 million buyout, according to Baseball-Reference, has posted a 5.84 ERA over the past three seasons. It would be a surprise to see Sanchez return in 2018.
Though expectations were high for Daniel Norris heading into 2017, he posted a 5.29 ERA through 16 starts this season and is currently pitching out of the bullpen. Matt Boyd has also had his struggles, posting a 5.93 ERA over 22 games (21 starts).
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The Tigers are obviously in rebuild mode and may not be competitive for a while. However, a healthy Fulmer will clearly give the rotation a much better look heading into the 2018 season.