Detroit Tigers: Michael Fulmer to return soon?
Detroit Tigers ace Michael Fulmer could be nearing his return. What could a solid finish to the season mean for the 2016 AL Rookie of the Year?
When the Detroit Tigers traded Justin Verlander to the Houston Astros at the end of last summer, it paved the way for Michael Fulmer to take over as the ace of the staff. However, Fulmer never pitched in the month of September last year and ultimately underwent an elbow surgery.
While Fulmer was ready to go at the start of Spring Training, the 2018 campaign has been a bit of a struggle for the right-hander. After going 3-9 with a 4.50 ERA and 1.32 WHIP though his first 19 starts, Fulmer was placed on the DL with an oblique strain in July.
Fulmer has now been rehabbing in the minor leagues and the results have been quite good. He has made two starts in Class A Advanced Lakeland, allowing zero runs and 11 strikeouts over a total of six innings pitched.
According to Evan Woodbery of MLive, Fulmer could return to the Tigers as soon as Friday, though it is not for certain. If it turns out that the Tigers think he is in need of another rehab start, there is also a chance that he could be pitching for the Triple-A Mud Hens this weekend. Either way, managed Ron Gardenhire has stated that Fulmer will be limited to just 70 pitches, according to Woodbery.
While Fulmer’s season has not gone nearly as well as his first two in the major leagues, a strong finish to the year could certainly go a long way. Jordan Zimmermann and Matthew Boyd have given the Tigers quality innings this season, but Fulmer could still easily enter the 2019 campaign as the unquestioned ace of the staff.
Fulmer might also be able to rebuild his trade value going into the offseason. The Tigers are, of course, in rebuilding mode. Fulmer’s name has been mentioned in trade rumors since last summer.
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However, the Detroit Tigers shouldn’t feel rushed to move him. Fulmer is under team control through 2022, so the Tigers should have plenty of other opportunities to trade him, as long as he stays healthy and pitches the way that he has in the past.