The Boston Red Sox promoted Michael Fulmer to the 40-man roster on Sunday and placed Richard Fitts on the 15-day injured list with a right pectoral strain. The 25-year-old right-hander experienced shoulder discomfort against the Chicago White Sox on Saturday and will undergo an MRI tomorrow.
The move paves the way for Fulmer’s first big league appearance since 2023.
The #RedSox today placed RHP Richard Fitts on the 15-Day Injured List with a right pectoral strain.
To fill his spot, the club selected RHP Michael Fulmer to the active Major League roster from Triple-A Worcester. Fulmer will wear number 51.
Boston’s 40-man roster is now at 40.
— Red Sox (@RedSox) April 13, 2025
Red Sox Give Michael Fulmer Another Shot
In 2016 with the Detroit Tigers, Michael Fulmer went 11-7 with a 3.09 ERA. He won the American League Rookie of the Year award and finished 10th in AL Cy Young voting. But in March 2019, he underwent Tommy John surgery and returned in July 2020. He hasn’t posted a winning record since his rookie season and had Tommy John revision surgery in October 2023.
Boston signed Fulmer to a minor league contract in February 2024, and the 32-year-old right-hander didn’t pitch last season. However, he posted a 0.79 ERA in spring training over five appearances and 11 1/3 innings, striking out 12 and only walking three.
Fulmer’s consistency has continued at Triple-A Worcester. In two starts and one relief appearance, he has a 3.09 ERA over 11 2/3 innings. He’s struck out 18 and walked six with batters hitting a mere .171 average against him.
Fulmer Set For Relief Work
Richard Fitts is 0-2 with a 3.18 ERA and 13 strikeouts this season as a starter. He was in line for the win on Saturday, leaving in the bottom of the sixth with a 2-0 lead. Zack Kelly gave up two runs in relief, and the White Sox walked it off in the ninth against closer Aroldis Chapman.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora said he expects to use Michael Fulmer out of the bullpen. Fitts’ injury leaves Boston with Garrett Crochet, Tanner Houck, Walker Buehler, and Sean Newcomb as the remaining healthy starting pitchers. Injured starters Brayan Bello (shoulder) and Lucas Giolito (hamstring) have made multiple rehab starts at Worcester and seem close to returning to the Red Sox. Fellow starter Kutter Crawford (knee) is not expected to make his 2025 debut until May or June.
Photo Credit: © Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
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