Red Sox pitcher Michael Fulmer to pitch out of WooSox rotation; debuting Sunday at Polar Park
The Red Sox will use veteran right-handed pitcher Michael Fulmer in the WooSox starting rotation. He will make his first start of the season on Sunday in the series finale against the Syracuse Mets at Polar Park.
“As of right now, we plan on him being a starter,” Abraham said.
WooSox lefty Shane Drohan will piggyback off Fulmer following his start on Sunday afternoon.
Fulmer signed a two-year, minor league deal with the Red Sox before last spring training. He missed the entire season rehabbing from Tommy John surgery. The righty spent the entire year down in Fort Myers for his rehab.
He pitched 11.1 innings this spring; the former first-round pick 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.
Since making his MLB debut, the Oklahoma native has appeared in 262 games. During that period, Fulmer not only made 90 starts but also saw action out of the bullpen. Fulmer’s experience as a starter and a reliever makes him an intriguing option for the Red Sox if they need someone at the big league level over the course of the season.
Drohan's fastball velocity, topping out at 97 mph, caught the attention of the organization's pitching evaluators. The lefty looked impressive both physically and on the mound with the Red Sox during the spring, pitching in two games, making one start, striking out five, and walking one over six innings.
Drohan has garnered the attention of the WooSox pitching coach, who is impressed with the lefty.
“Dro did a great job this offseason, getting stronger, right?” said WooSox pitching coach Dan DeLucia while on the “To the Show” Baseball Show. “And really, you know, just the work ethic, right?
“He was in a tough spot at the end of the year last year. I don't know if he felt like his back was against the wall maybe this year, but I mean, he put the work in. You saw what I saw when he first arrived in Fort Myers. He physically looks better, bigger, and stronger.
“The shoulder strength is back to where he wants it, and as a result, he's throwing right now at 95 mph, sitting in 94 mph, where he struggled to even get close to that last year at certain times.
“I know he's feeling good. I haven't seen him with my own eyes yet, but I've talked to a lot of the other minor league coaches who have had him. He's opening some eyes on the minor league side right now.”
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