The Tigers announced that morning that right-hand man Carson Fulmer is designated for assignment to open a place on the roster for colleague rights Buck Farmer, who has been formally removed from the injured list.
Detroit claimed the out-of-options Fulmer earlier this year after the White Sox cut bait on the former No. 8 overall draft pick. The Tigers had hoped that landscaping change could help Fulmer turn things around after an expensive term in Chicago – 6.56 ERA, 83-to-64 K / BB ratio in 94 2/3 innings – but the former Vanderbilt stars remained due to. Fulmer threw 6 2/3 frames with the Tigers and delivered five runs on eight hits, three walks and a hit batter with seven punchouts.
With the much more established Farmer returning from the injured list, the Tigers needed to issue either player as an option or appoint Fulmer for assignment, as his lack of options prevents him from sending without to clear exemptions first. The Tigers will have a week to deal with Fulmer, release him or try to give the once gifted judge by exemptions himself. If he makes that clear, they would be able to keep him in the organization’s 60-man pool of players without dedicating a 40-man roster to him. At that point, Fulmer could go to the Tigers’ alternative training ground in hopes of earning another look at the big leagues before the end of the season.
