What It Means:

It was the first time Fulmer had pitched in a game situation since 2019 spring training, before he underwent Tommy John surgery. "You know, he's been working really, really hard to take this step forward," Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire said. "He got out there and threw the ball good. Like I said, that smile coming off the mound, that's what it's all about." Fulmer may wind up in the Opening Day rotation after the Tigers placed Daniel Norris (undisclosed) on the 10-day injured list Wednesday. The former American League Rookie of the Year owns a career 3.81 ERA and an 18.9 strikeout percentage over 456 innings.

numberFire's models expect Fulmer to throw a 4.64 ERA and 1.31 WHIP with 32 strikeouts and 13 walks over 38 2/3 innings this season.