Detroit Tigers pitcher Michael Fulmer hasn’t enjoyed the smoothest of sailing since winning American League Rookie of the Year honors in 2016.
He’s undergone Tommy John surgery, right knee surgery, and missed an entire campaign. Last season, he was limited to three innings per start. His numbers last season weren’t exactly stellar either, posting an 8.78 ERA, 2.060 WHIP, 12 walks and 20 strikeouts.
However, the Tigers saw fit to avoid arbitration and sign him to a one-year extension earlier this year.
And now, he’s dealing with a new reality – he’s simply not the same as he once was.
“Let’s be honest, I’m a different pitcher than I was a few years ago,” Fulmer said. “There’s no denying that. I’m trying to learn on the fly like I was last year. Body is feeling good.”
Nevertheless, he’s doing what he can to earn his spot in Detroit’s rotation.
“I want to earn my spot in the rotation and feel like I earned my job. And right now, it doesn’t feel that way,” Fulmer said. “But I’m starting to get there and I really do think we’re getting closer and closer.”
It wasn’t his best performance yesterday against the New York Yankees, surrendering three runs on four hits along with three walks.
“I just want to say that first off, I need to be better. But today was honestly encouraging,” Fulmer said. “I thought execution was a lot better and the things that I could control were a lot better. Instead of trying to pitch up in the zone and elevating balls middle, I felt like I commanded the ball better, my misses were a little better, kept guys off balance. Wanted to go into today and use that mix a lot better.”
Skipper A.J. Hinch was also blunt in his assessment of Fulmer’s appearance on the mound against New York.
“Ultimately,” said Hinch, “it wasn’t a good day for him.”
Fulmer realizes that he’s behind the likes of Matthew Boyd, Spencer Turnbull, Jose Urena, Tarik Skubal and Julio Teheran as far as spots in the opening season starting rotation – but that’s how he wants it.
“And that’s the way I want it to be,” Fulmer said. “Nothing’s given in this organization; A.J. mentioned that his first day here.”
– – Quotes via Will Burchfield of Radio.com Link – –
