Michael Fulmer making compelling case for roster spot
As Opening Day draws closer, the Boston Red Sox have been busy finalizing their roster. While it is mainly set, a few spots are up for grabs. That includes the fifth spot in the rotation and a few bullpen roles. One player who is making a compelling case is Michael Fulmer.
While Fuller has not pitched in a regular season game for the Red Sox, he is a player the organization knows well. The 32-year-old signed a two-year minor league contract last February. The deal allowed him to spend last season working out at the JetBlue Park with Red Sox’s rehab staff after undergoing UCL revision surgery on his right elbow. Over the last few weeks, he has been a bright spot in camp.
Through 11.1 innings this spring, the former first-round pick has posted a 0.79 ERA and struck out 12 batters. He has held opponents to a .233 batting average and only allowed one earned run. Even when runners have reached base, Fulmer has worked out of trouble and limited damage.
Now fully healthy, Fulmer is flashing the form that made him the AL Rookie of the Year in 2016. That has been a welcome sign for the Red Sox, as their patience looks to be paying off.
Since making his MLB debut, the Oklahoma native has appeared in 262 games. Fulmer made 90 starts during that span and was also used out of the bullpen. With the Red Sox expected to start the season without three starters, Fulmers' experience makes him an intriguing option to fill in.
Entering the 2025 campaign, Fulmer owns a lifetime 3.94 ERA. He also has a 3.43 ERA and 190 strikeouts in 175.2 innings as a reliever. That solid track record could be valuable to a Red Sox team looking to end a postseason drought.
Over the next week, the Red Sox will be focused on putting together the best roster possible to start the season. That could include Fulmer, whose performance this spring has been hard to ignore on a team full of talented arms.
I've been telling anyone who would listen that I believed he'd be going north with the Red Sox. Frankly, I was surprised someone didn't take a chance on him in the Rule 5 Draft in December. He's a Big League Pitcher. There are plenty of teams who do not have 13 Big League Pitchers.