DETROIT — Former Detroit Tigers right-hander Michael Fulmer, who pitched for four different organizations in 2025, has signed a minor-league contract with the San Francisco Giants.
Fulmer, who turns 33 next month, will get an invitation to spring training.
He spent most of last season in Triple-A, striking out 86 in 66 innings during stints on four different clubs. He got two brief MLB call-ups with the Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox.
Fulmer came to the Tigers more than 10 years ago from the New York Mets, along with pitcher Luis Cessa, in the trade for outfielder Yoenis Céspedes.
He won the American League Rookie of the Year award in 2016 and remained a steady and reliable starter in 2017 and 2018 before injuries took their toll.
After his first Tommy John surgery forced him to miss all of 2019 and limited his work in 2020, he successfully transitioned to the bullpen in 2021.
He went 3-4 with a 3.20 ERA in 39 1/3 innings for the Tigers in 2022 before being traded to the Minnesota Twins at the deadline for Sawyer Gipson-Long.
Fulmer signed a one-year, $4 million deal with the Chicago Cubs prior to the 2023 season. He pitched 57 innings out of the pen but underwent another TJ immediately after the season, which caused him to miss all of 2024.
But he showed his durability — and earned plenty of frequent-flier miles — in 2025, which will give him a shot to compete for a job in San Francisco this spring.
There was a time when his name was written into Detroit’s plans with confidence. He produced when asked, carried himself with professionalism, and gave the Tigers meaningful innings and moments when the team needed them.
For stretches, he wasn’t just reliable—he was important.
Then came the drift.
Injuries, inconsistency, changing roles, younger options pushing through the system—whatever the combination, the path narrowed. The phone stopped ringing as often.
Chances became shorter. Expectations shifted from contribution to survival.
This minor-league deal doesn’t erase any of that. But it does reopen the door.
