After throwing for the first time this offseason, Bob Wojnowski of the Detroit News (and 97.1 the Ticket) is reporting that Tigers’ ace Michael Fulmer is 100% entering spring training. Fulmer had this to say about how his throwing session went,

“Went fantastic, got no complaints, no pain, no setbacks,” Fulmer said Thursday. “Haven’t felt numbness or anything since the surgery. I should have no restrictions heading toward spring training at all, 100 percent.”

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Obviously, this is good news for the Tigers as they head into the first season of their rebuild. Fulmer, at the age of 24, was a first-time all-star last season before he went on the Disabled List. Dr. James Andrews performed the Ulnar nerve transportation surgery on September 12 to relocate a nerve in his elbow where it will be less irritated. Typical recovery time for this type of surgery is 3 to 4 months.

Jacob deGrom of the New York Mets had the same procedure done in September of 2016 and was ready before Spring Training 2017.  deGrom was not limited last season at all as he threw 201.1 innings last season making 31 starts.  Which for the Tigers sake and Fulmer’s can be a bit of relief.

BONUS CONTENT: 

Victor Martinez ‘should be able to play’ for Tigers in 2018

All signs currently indicate that the Detroit Tigers are in a full-on rebuilding mode. Apparently, the effort to get younger will not impact the designated hitter spot. According to a report from the Detroit Free Press, switch-hitting Victor Martinez will don the Old English D in 2018.

Al Avila told the Free Press as much during an interview during the MLB general manager meetings in Florida recently.

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