Former Tigers Rookie of the Year left off Opening Day roster in puzzling Red Sox move

Everyone loves a good comeback story, and one former Detroit Tigers pitcher is writing one of his own this year in spring training.

Michael Fulmer, who pitched for the Tigers for the majority of his Major League career from 2016-22, signed a two-year minor league contract with the Boston Red Sox in 2024 and is now fighting for an Opening Day roster spot after missing all of last season while recovering from his second Tommy John Surgery.

Unfortunately, though, despite an incredible showing in spring training, the Red Sox optioned the right-hander to Triple-A Worcester.

Originally selected by the New York Mets in the first round of the 2011 MLB Draft, Fulmer was traded to Detroit in the 2015 deadline deal that sent outfielder Yoenis Cespedes to New York. Fulmer made his big league debut with the Tigers the following season and went on to post a 3.06 ERA in 26 starts en route to winning the 2016 American League Rookie of the Year Award. He was also named to the AL All-Star team in 2017.

After a career-worst 2020 season that saw his ERA balloon up to 8.78 over 10 starts, Fulmer transitioned to the bullpen. He had a lot of success as a reliever, posting a 3.43 ERA over 172 outings from 2021-23. During that span, the Tigers traded him to the Minnesota Twins in 2022 for right-hander Sawyer Gipson-Long. Fulmer elected free agency following the season and ended up signing with the Chicago Cubs, where he was limited to just 57 innings in 2023 due to injury.

Former Tigers pitcher Michael Fulmer is making an impact with Red Sox

It was in Chicago that Fulmer got to know Craig Breslow, who was the Cubs' assistant general manager and senior vice president of pitching at the time. Breslow was hired by the Red Sox to be their Chief Baseball Officer ahead of the 2024 season and signed Fulmer to a two-year minor league deal that would allow him the full season to recover from Tommy John.

Now, Fulmer is eyeing a Major League comeback – and he wants to return to a starter role. Though he hasn't strated a game, he was making an excellent case to be added to the Red Sox's Opening Day roster this spring, pitching to an 0.79 ERA with one earned run and 12 strikeouts in 11 1/3 innings of Grapefruit League play.

Fulmer threw two scoreless innings and struck out two against the Tigers on Feb. 27 and recently added two more scoreless innings with three strikeouts against his former team on Wednesday. But the Sox optioned him on Friday, which seemed like a questionable move given their need for pitchers with so many injured.

Perhaps it's to preserve Fulmer coming off Tommy John. Perhaps it's to further build his arm strength back up so he can start again. Either way, it won't be long before Fulmer is making an impact at the big league level again.

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