Fulmer Shut Down To 'Refine Lower Body Mechanics'

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LAKELAND, Fla. (97.1 The Ticket) -- Right-handed pitcher Michael Fulmer has been shut down indefinitely to "refine his lower body mechanics," according to a report from MLB.com's Jason Beck.
Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire said there is no timetable for Fulmer to return to the mound.

Michael Fulmer, who was on turn to pitch tomorrow, “took a step back to refine his lower body mechanics,” Ron Gardenhire said. “We have no timetable for when he’s going to get back on the mound.”

— Jason Beck (@beckjason) March 14, 2019

Fulmer, who underwent knee surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right leg, has spent all of Spring Training pitching with his knee in a brace.

The former American League Rookie of the Year said after a start last week he was working to regain explosiveness to regain some of his velocity, according to Beck. Multiple reports throughout the spring have said Fulmer has lost velocity on his fastball. The move to sideline Fulmer will be an attempt to correct that issue.

Spencer Turnbull will start in place of Fulmer in Friday's game against the Rays.

Fulmer went 3-12 with a 4.69 ERA across 24 starts last season, his worst as a Major Leaguer. Following a 2015 trade with the New York Mets, Fulmer broke into the league by winning Rookie of the Year honors in 2016, when he went 11-7 with a 3.06 ERA and 132 strikeouts.