The Tigers announced this morning that right-hander Carson Fulmer has been designated for assignment in order to open a spot on the roster for fellow righty Buck Farmer, who has been formally reinstated from the injured list.
Detroit claimed the out-of-options Fulmer earlier this year after the White Sox cut bait on the former No. 8 overall draft pick. The Tigers had hoped a change of scenery might help Fulmer turn things around after a dismal tenure in Chicago — 6.56 ERA, 83-to-64 K/BB ratio in 94 2/3 innings — but the former Vanderbilt star’s struggles continued. Fulmer tossed 6 2/3 frames with the Tigers and yielded five runs on eight hits, three walks and a hit batter with seven punchouts.
With the much more established Farmer returning from the injured list, the Tigers needed to either option out a different player or designate Fulmer for assignment, as his lack of options prevents him from being sent down without first clearing waivers. The Tigers will have a week to trade Fulmer, release him or try to pass the once-vaunted righty through waivers themselves. If he does clear, they’d be able to keep him in the organization’s 60-man player pool without dedicating a 40-man roster spot to him. At that point, Fulmer could head to the Tigers’ alternate training site in hopes of earning another look in the big leagues before season’s end.