Tigers' Michael Fulmer throws bullpen, could start Monday at Rangers

Michael Fulmer threw 20 pitches in a bullpen at Comerica Park today, while Daniel Norris threw two innings in a simulated game at Triple-A Toledo.

“If he feels fine tomorrow, he’ll probably be on track for Monday,” Detroit Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said of the possibility of Fulmer making his next scheduled start.

The Tigers visit the Texas Rangers starting Monday. Ausmus said Justin Verlander would slot back to Tuesday if Fulmer can pitch on Monday. 

“All I can tell them is I’m healthy enough to pitch,” Fulmer said. “Obviously, I’m ready to pitch. I’m ready to get back out there, even though it’s been 10 days or so. I’m always itching to get back out there.”

Fulmer is dealing with right elbow ulnar neuritis and was placed on the disabled list on Aug. 3 after dealing with discomfort in his right elbow during his last start.

“Doctors have said there’s no risk if I keep throwing,” Fulmer said. “It’d be awesome if it didn’t come back. We won’t know that until I start pitching again. Right now I can say I feel 100%.”

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Ausmus said he thinks the issue probably will come back at some point because Fulmer has been dealing with it for two years, including when his American League rookie of the year season in 2016.

“This was the first time I felt it during a start,” Fulmer said of the discomfort. “I kind of felt it creep into my middle finger, which obviously is your dominant finger to throw any pitch. And it affected my change-up the most. My ring finger was basically numb.”

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Fulmer said in the past he’s felt it the night after a start or the next morning. 

“It’s always super stiff and kind of like some zinging down my last two fingers,” Fulmer said. “That’s normal for me. I know, that’s why I have four days off before I pitch again.

"And it feels fine every fifth day. This time it’s just happened during a start and lost command with everything.”

Ausmus had not spoken with Norris about today's simulation before he spoke to reporters at Comerica Park. 

“He certainly would have to go on a rehab assignment before he pitched here again,” Ausmus said.

Norris had dealt with a left groin strain since July 6. 

Coulda, shoulda: The Twins (57-56) came into today's game against the Tigers 3 1/2 games back of the Indians (60-52) in the AL Central Division. The Tigers (52-62) were nine games back. Asked if he thought it was a missed opportunity, given that .500 teams are still in the thick of things, Ausmus said: “If we were 10 games over .500, we’d be in first place. Neither of those things are a reality,” Ausmus said. “Why are we talking about it?” 

Changes for September? Don’t count on a bunch of young kids getting playing time in September over other regulars. Ausmus didn’t rule out a move or two being made for the sake of development, but he said:  “We don’t really have a lot of options in that sense. Even in September, are we going to sit Justin Upton down? Sit Miguel Cabrera down? Not play Nick Castellanos? There’s not a lot of things that we can do. I don’t know that we have a ton of position players down there that are ready to step in and be major league regulars." 

Contact George Sipple: gsipple@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @georgesipple. Download our Tigers Xtra app for free on Apple and Android devices!