Red Sox Eyeing Multiple Avenues to Strengthen Rotation, Including Michael Fulmer

The Boston Red Sox are leaving no stone unturned as they seek to bolster their pitching rotation. After successfully trading for White Sox ace Garrett Crochet, the team continues to explore both the trade and free agent markets for additional starting pitchers. Intriguingly, they are also considering an internal option that has caught many by surprise.

Speaking at the Winter Meetings, chief baseball officer Craig Breslow revealed that Michael Fulmer could potentially start for the Red Sox in 2025, a surprising development given Fulmer's recent history. The veteran right-hander, who is currently recovering from UCL surgery, has not pitched since 2023 and has not been a regular starter since the 2020 season. Furthermore, Fulmer has not thrown more than five innings in a single outing since September 2018.

Fulmer, who will turn 32 in March, was a reliable starter during his first three seasons in the majors. He earned the AL Rookie of the Year award in 2016 with the Detroit Tigers and was selected as an All-Star the following year. From 2016 to 2018, Fulmer made 75 starts, pitching 456 innings with a 3.81 ERA and a 4.32 SIERA. His promising career was derailed by elbow issues, culminating in Tommy John surgery in 2019 that sidelined him for the entire season.

Upon returning in 2020, Fulmer struggled significantly, with his velocity down and an 8.78 ERA over 10 starts. This led to the Tigers shifting him to the bullpen in 2021, where he has pitched since. His transition to a reliever was marked by varying degrees of success, but the Red Sox see potential for him to contribute as a starter once again.