The Chicago Cubs had to make room on their 26-man roster at the end of June with the return of Shōta Imanaga to the starting rotation, which left veteran pitcher Michael Fulmer as the odd-man out. After clearing waivers, Fulmer was outrighted to Triple-A, but he won't be staying in the Cubs organization, at least for now.
Michael Fulmer Elects Free Agency
The Cubs designated Fulmer for assignment on June 26, when Imanaga was activated off the injured list. Fulmer, who was called up to replace Nate Pearson in the bullpen earlier that week, made two relief appearances against the St. Louis Cardinals. It was somewhat of an audition for Fulmer, as he didn't really have a place on the Cubs once Imanaga returned.
However, Fulmer cleared waivers after he was DFA'd and instead of accepting his assignment to Triple-A with the Iowa Cubs the right-hander elected free agency.
The 32-year-old will now seek out another opportunity elsewhere, but who knows it wouldn't be the first time this season that a veteran goes out as a minor league free agent and then returns to the Cubs organization. It most notably happened with Reese McGuire, who eventually came back and was then called up to the majors after the injury to Miguel Amaya in May.
(Previous Update)
The Chicago Cubs have optioned right-handed relief pitcher Nate Pearson back to Triple-A after he failed to capitalize on his latest opportunity in the big leagues. Meanwhile, an old friend is replacing Pearson in the bullpen as veteran pitcher Michael Fulmer has been added to the active roster, officially getting the call up from the Iowa Cubs prior to Monday night's series opener against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Fulmer pitched out of the bullpen for the Cubs during the 2023 season and was pretty damn good for the majority of the season before an arm injury eventually derailed his momentum down the stretch. Fulmer signed on with the Cubs back in April, agreeing to a minor league deal and now he's got a chance to win a spot in the bullpen that's been exhausted the past few weeks.
Fulmer, 32, has pitched 24.1 innings with the Iowa Cubs at Triple-A this season and he's posted a 2.96 ERA, striking out 32% of the batters he's faced. The righty features a filthy sweeper, which fans got to see during his best work on the Cubs in 2023.
Fulmer underwent UCL revision surgery after the 2023 regular season, which forced him to miss all of 2024. The righty pitched once for the Boston Red Sox this season before he was designated for assignment in early April.
Michael Fulmer Returns to Cubs
The Cubs have signed right-handed pitcher Michael Fulmer to a minor league deal, bringing back the ex-Rookie of the Year winner who pitched for the team back in 2023. Fulmer, 32, was recently designated for assignment by the Red Sox after making his 2025 debut on April 14.
Fulmer has been assigned to the Iowa Cubs at Triple-A according to the team's transactions page.
It's been a tough road back for Fulmer since he last pitched for the Cubs. After the 2023 season the right-hander underwent UCL revision surgery in his pitching elbow that cost him the entire 2024 season.
The Cubs first signed Fulmer to a $4 million deal for the 2023 season and at first things were shaky for the starter turned reliever. Fulmer had an 8.68 ERA in his first 10 appearances with the Cubs, allowing nine earned runs in 9.1 innings. That stretch included a pair of blown saves for Fulmer, who was also tagged with a couple losses out of the bullpen.
However, Fulmer did rebound nicely and from April 27 through Aug. 8, he posted a 2.83 ERA in 41.1 innings. Unfortunately, Fulmer's arm gave out toward the end of the season and he was placed on the injured list twice within three weeks because of a forearm strain.
Heading into 2024, Fulmer signed a two-year, minor league contract with the Red Sox. The right-hander did not return to game action until March 30, pitching four scoreless innings at Triple-A. Fulmer pitched in three minor league games before he was called up by the Red Sox in mid-April. He's only appearance with Boston was against the Rays. Fulmer gave up three earned runs in 2.2 innings.
It's interesting to see that Fulmer was being stretched back out to be a starter in the minors because he had gotten into a good groove as a reliever.
Michael Fulmer Career Overview
Fulmer made his MLB debut with the Detroit Tigers in 2016, winning American League Rookie of the Year that season after posting a 3.06 ERA in 26 starts. In 2017, Fulmer was an All-Star and had a decent year with a 3.83 ERA in 164.2 innings. But then things went off the rails for him as a starting pitcher in 2018. Fulmer had a 4.69 ERA in 24 starts and then in March 2019, he underwent Tommy John surgery. The right-hander returned in 2020, but only tossed 27.2 innings and struggled, with an ERA near nine.
However, Fulmer turned into good reliever beginning in 2021, recording a 2.98 ERA in 115 bullpen appearances with the Tigers and Twins from 2021-22. He also did some closing for the Tigers in 2021, saving 14 games for Detroit that season. In 2022, he had a 3.39 ERA in 63.2 innings with the Tigers and Twins.
Fulmer's 2023 season was interrupted because of arm issues. He made 58 appearances with the Cubs and recorded a 4.42 ERA in 57 innings, striking out 65 batters.
