Sept. 18: Fulmer has been diagnosed with a torn meniscus, the team now tells reporters (Twitter links via Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press). He’ll undergo surgery if and when the diagnosis is confirmed by Dr. Andrews on Wednesday.
Sept. 17: Fulmer’s MRI revealed damage to his meniscus, manager Ron Gardenhire tells reporters (Twitter link via MLB.com’s Jason Beck). The results of the test are currently being reviewed by Dr. James Andrews.
Sept. 16: Tigers right-hander Michael Fulmer exited yesterday’s game after making just five pitches (and allowing two homers), and he’ll now undergo an MRI to further evaluate the right knee that forced him from that game, per Chris McCosky of the Detroit News (Twitter link). A return in 2018 seems like a long shot, McCosky adds. Manager Ron Gardenhire said after yesterday’s game that Fulmer initially tweaked the knee when trying to field a bunt (Twitter link from MLive.com’s Evan Woodbery).
Fulmer, 25, has struggled through the least-productive season of his big league career so far in 2018, pitching to a 4.69 ERA over the course of what would be a career-low 132 1/3 innings. His strikeout percentage is right in line with his levels from the 2016 season that won him American League Rookie of the Year honors, and his 10.5 percent swinging-strike rate and 33.6 percent chase rate on out-of-zone pitches are both career-bests by a slight margin.
However, Fulmer’s walk rate has spiked this season, and he’s allowing home runs, line drives and hard contact at career-high rates. By measure of Statcast, the average exit velocity of a ball hit against Fulmer is up nearly three miles per hour from 2017 (85.6 mph in ’17, 88.3 mph in ’18), and he’s allowed a career-worst 19 home runs despite a career-low number of innings pitched and games started.
The injury to Fulmer is particularly notable given his status as a player who now perennially frequents the rumor circuit during periods of heightened trade activity. If the injury proves to be nothing more than inflammation, it’s unlikely that it’ll have any major impact on Fulmer’s appeal to pitching-hungry teams. If it’s more serious in nature, though, he’ll see a second consecutive season come to an end due to a notable health issue; Fulmer’s sophomore season in 2017 was cut short when he underwent ulnar nerve transposition surgery in his right arm. He also missed nearly a month of action due to an oblique strain earlier this summer.
Detroit will control Fulmer for another four years beyond the current season, though he’ll reach arbitration for the first time this winter as a Super Two player (meaning he’ll be arbitration-eligible four times, as opposed to the standard three, based on his service time to date). The rebuilding Tigers have dramatically improved their farm system and feature a number of high-upside rotation candidates atop their prospect rankings — Casey Mize, Franklin Perez, Beau Burrows, Alex Faedo, Matt Manning — so perhaps their rebuild could come together a bit more quickly than initially expected. However, it still seems like a long shot that they’ll be playing competitive baseball in 2019, so Fulmer figures to once again draw his fair share of trade interest from teams around the league this offseason. Fulmer may have had a down year in 2018, but young pitchers with multiple years of team control are still the most coveted assets on the trade market.
They def should of traded him some teams were offering 2 top 100s for him
Meniscus damage normally is a minimal arthroscopic procedure. Assuming it’s limited to that, he can driving within two days. Could be fine next year.
had my knee scoped last week. they trimmed a bit of plica. not sure how that compares, but I was fully on my feet within 3 days with a knee brace and started working out lightly 7 days later.
Personally I’ve had three surgeries from 1997 to 1999 including a meniscus repair followed by old type ACL reconstruction. Professionally, I must have settled over 100 “knee cases” in a 30+ year career. Not an expert nor a doctor but I believe in what I wrote. All depends on what they find during the operation as sometimes even MRIs can’t show the full story.
Yes they should have. The Tigers like many other teams need to get rid of the mindset that any controllable mid rotation starter is worth giving up several blue chip prospects
Would I love to trade for Fulmer? Absolutely! But hindsight is everything; you can’t fault DET for not trading him since:
1) Michael Fulmer is only 25 years of age
2) Four more years of team-control beyond this season
Hang in there, Detroit fans! There’s a light at the end of every tunnel.
Your comments hurt my head. What was the point of this? Don’t most Detroit fans know that he’s 25 and is cost controlled? Why do you feel the need to comment the obvious on every post?
I’m a positive guy, who doesn’t like dwelling in the past. He could have been traded before at “peak” value? They have 4 years to correct the mistake, and he’s young.
I like Fulmer, always wanted to trade for Fulmer, but you never want to see young player go down like this. Just wanted to start off the discussion highlighting all the positives for Detriot fans.
Typical meniscus surgery is as minimal as it gets. No one wants to be cut but again if the damage is limited to just the meniscus, he should be fine.
You’re one to talk. Why do you feel the need to post nothing (ur post contributed nothing) Would you rather post something like franchise is “irrelevant”. How about speculation involving Justus for MadBum? You’re not exactly the gold standard to criticize. Who are you?
Oh no! He’s not lord of MLBTR comments? Get over yourself.
Just hate comments like this. People who think they’re “lord” and criticize other posts, when they themselves arent shining example of perfection.
Sorry, if I’m sick of personal attacks…
Who am I? Somebody who posts his opinion. Not somebody who restates every article and summarized what we already know into a post. I only post on topics I care about, not on every single post on the site. I’d like to think the majority of commenters are the same.
And as far as the Mariners post goes, I was referencing how similar their situation is as it was to the Sonics. Sorry if you didn’t get the jist.
“Not somebody who restates every article and summarized what we already know in a post.”
I highlighted the most interesting part of Steve’s piece; why I think all hope is not lost. (Consider it devil’s advocate to the first post, they should’ve traded Fulmer, which is still correct.) Again I ask “who are you?”
“I only post on topics I care about, not on every single post on the site.”
Yes, you really care about the Mariners to post “Irrelevant franchise” first post on a thread about them being hopeful to re-sign Nelson Cruz. Difference between you and I, is I try to back-up my opinions with facts, not attacks.
“And as far as the Mariners post goes, I was referencing how similar their situation is as it was to the Sonics. Sorry if you didn’t get jist.”
Seattle Mariners are nowhere near the Sonics’ situation. Keep talking nonsense. Didn’t SEA just sign a new 25 year lease that will keep them in Safeco through 2049?
“I’d like to think the majority of commenters are the same.”
Keep trying hard to bait/speak for others.
The Tigers should shut down Michael Fulmer for the season. I don’t think working through all these injuries are helping anyone.
There is no need for him to pitch any more this year. Shut him down. Hopefully he will be ready next year. Zimmermann, Fulmer and Boyd will give them a decent top of the rotation. If they can pick two starters from the free agent pile like they did this year (Fiers and Liriano), they should be decent next season. Give the prospects a chance to develop… Mize, Manning, Burrows, Faedo, Alexander, Soto might make their debut’s next fall.
I feel we didn’t deal Fulmer because he is exactly what we would have wanted in trade.
agree. shut him down. he’ll be fine. just one of those years.
Exactly. That’s as close as it gets to Delaware.
He got hurt fielding a bunt? Of course he did: pitchers are only there to pitch, not to field. When will the American League get with the program and institute the Designated Fielder like the rest of the civilized world?
Lol, thanks for that. Save best material for Mondays ;P
This is why you trade valuable players when you are rebuilding. No need to risk the injury.
If you trade the valuable young players, you will ALWAYS be rebuilding. To complete a rebuild, you keep the young valuable players. If the Tigers don’t show team progress next year, then they should look at what’s available. No rush to set back the rebuild an extra three years.
James Andrews isn’t the only Dr in the world who knows how to diagnose a torn meniscus.
Yes, but if it spreads to his elbow he’ll be glad he has Dr. A.
I seem to remember Verlander having a bad season early in his career. Turned out to be a good learning experience for him. Hopefully, Fullmer will be healthy next year, and more young players will arrive.
More proof Gary should’ve won ROY.
Gary who? The under .200 hitter who can’t catch? Still like him (a lot) if he’s willing to put the work in but please don’t make nonsense comments. What does Fulmer being hurt now have to do with last year?
it saddens me how surgery happy MLB is. meniscus surgery is not needed. it’s much better to heal the tear vs invasive repair. yes, I am a doctor.