The New York Yankees signed veteran reliever Michael Fulmer on Tuesday, immediately adding him to the major league roster. Fulmer's arrival comes as the Yankees' bullpen faces injuries, creating an immediate opportunity for him to secure a stable role.
Fulmer was initially en route to join the Yankees' Triple-A affiliate in Worcester, Massachusetts, but received a last-minute call to report to the major league club in New York. This unexpected turn of events marks the latest chapter in a career characterized by frequent team changes. "Just trying to figure out what teams want," Fulmer said. "This will be my seventh organization in the last two years, unfortunately. I’ve been around the whole country just trying to find a place to stick."
The Yankees placed Fernando Cruz on the injured list Wednesday due to right elbow discomfort, opening a spot for Fulmer. This move could potentially provide Fulmer with more than just a short-term assignment.
Fulmer, the 2016 American League Rookie of the Year and a 2017 All-Star with the Detroit Tigers, has experienced a challenging period since undergoing his second Tommy John surgery. This past season, he was released by both the San Francisco Giants and the Los Angeles Angels. He made three appearances for the Angels in the current season, pitching 3 ²/₃ scoreless innings. In Triple-A, he recorded a 2.93 ERA over 43 innings.
Manager Aaron Boone expressed enthusiasm about adding Fulmer to the team. "I’m excited to get him here," Boone stated. "Obviously, it’s a guy that’s got a lot of experience, had a lot of success in the big leagues, has been through a lot on the injury front. … He’s a guy that’s had a good season and is throwing the ball well and hopefully he can come here and grab a role. There’s opportunity there."
Despite the nomadic nature of his recent career, Fulmer has avoided thoughts of retirement, motivated by his current health and performance. "I told [my wife] I couldn’t live with myself feeling this healthy and throwing the ball this well to give up quite yet," Fulmer said. "Hope it’s an opportunity for something in the long run."
Fulmer, a former top prospect, was notably traded by the Mets to the Tigers in 2015 for Yoenis Cespedes. While Cespedes was instrumental in the Mets' World Series run that year, Fulmer established himself as a solid starter for Detroit. "Being a visiting player, you’re playing the Yankees — everybody dreams of it, everybody dreams to play in Yankee Stadium," Fulmer remarked. "It’s good to be on this side of it."