In all likelihood, Michael Fulmer won't be back on the mound until the 2020 season. The Tigers announced on Tuesday that he has been advised to undergo Tommy John surgery to repair his right elbow.
Fulmer is seeking a third opinion, but the surgery appears inevitable.
It would knock the 26-year-old out of the entirety of the 2019 season and possibly a portion of the 2020 season as well. The typical recovery time from Tommy John is 12 to 15 months.
The Tigers released the following statement Tuesday afternoon:
"Following a recent bullpen session, Tigers RHP Michael Fulmer began to experience right elbow soreness. Based on the results of an MRI, and after receiving a second opinion from Dr. James Andrews, Tommy John Surgery has been recommended in order to reconstruct the UCL. Fulmer is seeking a third opinion at this time."
An update on Michael Fulmer: pic.twitter.com/i01SrPy2iB
— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) March 19, 2019In 24 starts last season, Fulmer went 3-12 with a 4.69 ERA and a 1.315 WHIP. He missed the last couple weeks of the campaign with a knee injury that required surgery in the offseason. He also missed time last summer with an oblique injury.
The right-hander was shut down at the end of the 2017 season with elbow soreness, another issue that required offseason surgery.
Since dominating the 2016 season on his way to winning AL Rookie of the Year, Fulmer is 13-24 with a 4.21 ERA and a 1.226 WHIP in 49 starts.
Without Fulmer this season, the Tigers rotation will likely consist of Jordan Zimmermann, Matthew Boyd, Daniel Norris, Matt Moore and Tyson Ross. The season opener is March 28 at Toronto.
