Michael Fulmer's time in Detroit is over. For now, he's not going far.
The Tigers have traded Fulmer to the Twins, sending him from one clubhouse to the other at Target Field as the two teams continue a three-game series this week in Minnesota.
In return, the Tigers are getting minor-league pitcher Sawyer Gipson-Long from the Twins. The 24-year-old right-hander has a 4.23 ERA in 18 games (17 starts) this season across High-A and Double-A.
Fulmer, the AL Rookie of the Year in 2016, was the Tigers' most movable asset at the trade deadline as a high-leverage reliever who's set to be a free agent this winter.
Since transitioning to the bullpen last season after undergoing Tommy John in 2019, the 29-year-old righty has a 3.06 ERA in 93 games, including a 3.20 ERA and a strikeout per inning in 41 games this season.
Fulmer took a look around Comerica Park last week after what proved to be his final home appearance in a Tigers uniform. He joined the organization in 2015 via the Yoenis Cespedes trade, arrived with a bang in 2016 and made the All-Star Game in 2017 before elbow troubles threw him off course.
He got back on track as a reliever and said his time with the Tigers "means everything."
"They gave me my first shot in the big leagues and I was blessed enough to be able to stay here," he said. "For them to stick with me through some of the injuries, I know it may not have been as promising a career as it started out to be, but I’m very happy with the way it played out and where I’m at today."
Fulmer thanked A.J. Hinch and Tigers pitching coach Chris Fetter in particular for moving him to the bullpen last season.
"I think it helped me stay healthier and then this year, kind of found a home there with the guys," he said. "So very happy, very blessed to be doing this right now where I am."
In his final appearance for the Tigers, Fulmer yielded two runs on four hits in a 5-3 loss to the Twins Monday night. He'll be switching sides on Tuesday.
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