Detroit Tigers to Promote Top Pitching Prospect Michael Fulmer to Make MLB Debut

The Detroit Tigers will reportedly promote top pitching prospect Michael Fulmer from AAA Toledo to make his major league debut Friday night in Minnesota.

The blister that caused Shane Greene to exit Sunday’s start against the Cleveland Indians will require more time to heal. Reports surfaced on Wednesday night that the Detroit Tigers will place Greene on the disabled list and that top prospect Michael Fulmer would be called up from AAA to take his turn in the rotation on Friday night in Minneapolis.

Fulmer, who was named the Tigers’ top overall prospect heading into the season by both Baseball America and Baseball Prospectus will be making his major league debut.

Fulmer was a first round selection by the New York Mets in 2011 but was dealt to the Tigers in exchange for Yoenis Cespedes at the trade deadline last year. Also coming to the Tigers in that trade was Luis Cessa who was traded to the New York Yankees this offseason in exchange for reliever Justin Wilson.

John Wagner of the Toledo Blade was the first to report that something was up with Fulmer on Twitter and Chris Iott of MLive was able to confirm that Fulmer will indeed be called up to the major leagues.

Fulmer has made three starts (15.1 innings) for the AAA Toledo Mud Hens this season. Although his ERA stands at a ho-hum 4.11 mark, his strikeout and walk numbers have been more than solid, fanning 29% of the batters he’s faced while walking just 7%.

Batters have hit a reasonable .251 against Fulmer this season but he’s bitten by the long ball, allowing three home runs on the young season.

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No matter how successful he is in this stint, Fulmer is likely coming up for just one or two starts before resuming his development in the minor leagues.