The Cubs signed Fulmer to a minor-league contract Tuesday. Fulmer elected free agency earlier this week after being booted from Boston's 40-man roster and has quickly latched on with a new organization. The veteran right-hander's last full major-league season was with the Cubs in 2023, when he posted a 4.42 ERA and 65:28 K:BB over 57 innings before requiring UCL revision surgery. Fulmer will report to Triple-A Iowa.
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Status
ACTIVELatest Michael Fulmer news
Team
Chicago Cubs
Birthdate
3/15/1993 (32)
Status
MIN
HT/WT
6'3", 224 lbs
Draft Info
2011: Rd 1; Pk 44 (NYM)
Birthplace
Oklahoma City, OK, USA
Position
RP
Career History
Chicago Cubs
2023-Present
(1 season)
Boston Red Sox
2025-2025
(1 season)
Minnesota Twins
2022-2023
(1 season)
Detroit Tigers
2016-2019, 2020-2022
(6 seasons)
The Cubs signed Fulmer to a minor-league contract Tuesday. Fulmer elected free agency earlier this week after being booted from Boston's 40-man roster and has quickly latched on with a new organization. The veteran right-hander's last full major-league season was with the Cubs in 2023, when he posted a 4.42 ERA and 65:28 K:BB over 57 innings before requiring UCL revision surgery. Fulmer will report to Triple-A Iowa.
Fulmer elected free agency after he was outrighted by the Red Sox on Sunday. Fulmer will hit the open market instead of reporting to Triple-A Worcester after Boston designated him for assignment Friday. The right-hander made one appearance out of the bullpen with the Red Sox on April 14 versus the Rays, surrendering three runs on four hits and two walks while striking out two batters over 2.2 innings.
The Red Sox designated Fulmer for assignment Friday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports. Fulmer was knocked around in his lone appearance with the big club, allowing three runs on four hits and two walks over 2.2 innings. It was the first outing in the majors for the 32-year-old since 2023, as he missed the entire 2024 season while recovering from UCL revision surgery. It's possible there will be interest via trade or waivers in Fulmer, who offers versatility after being stretched out as a starter at Triple-A Worcester.
The Red Sox selected Fulmer's contract from Triple-A Worcester on Sunday, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports. After missing the entire 2024 season while recovering from UCL revision surgery, Fulmer had staged a successful comeback at Triple-A to begin the current campaign. Over 11.2 innings across three appearances (two starts), Fulmer gave up six runs (four earned) on seven hits and six walks while striking out 18 batters. Though he'll be joining the 26-man active roster as a replacement for starter Richard Fitts (pectoral), Fulmer is likely to work out of the Boston bullpen initially as a long-relief option.
Fulmer will begin the season in the rotation at Triple-A Worcester, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports. Fulmer hasn't been a full-time starting pitcher since 2020 and missed the entire 2024 season following UCL revision surgery. However, he was stretched out during spring training and will represent rotation depth in the minors for the Red Sox.
The Red Sox reassigned Fulmer to minor-league camp Friday, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports. Fulmer pitched well this spring after missing the entire 2024 season following UCL revision surgery, posting a 0.79 ERA with 12 strikeouts over 11.1 innings, but it wasn't enough to make Boston's Opening Day roster. His minor-league contract does not contain an opt-out clause, so Fulmer will begin the season at Triple-A Worcester.
Fulmer (elbow) surrendered three hits and one walk while striking out one over 1.2 scoreless innings during Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Rays. Fulmer missed the entire 2024 campaign while rehabbing from UCL revision surgery and has since been given the green light to return to game action. It was reported over the offseason that the club was considering utilizing Fulmer as a starter, and the fact that Boston sent him out for multiple innings in his spring debut supports this update. It'll be worth keeping a close eye on the right-hander's role as camp rolls on.
Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow said Tuesday that Fulmer (elbow) could be used as a starting pitcher in 2025, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports. Fulmer missed the 2024 season while recovering from UCL revision surgery and has been used as a reliever almost exclusively since 2021. He was a starter in his first four big-league seasons, however, and while it's much likelier that he'll ultimately settle into a relief role, it doesn't hurt to stretch him out a bit to give the Red Sox options. Fulmer is expected to be ready for spring training.