Michael Fulmer signed a Major League contract with the New York Yankees and was selected to their active roster, giving him a fast move from free agency to the big league bench. The Yankees made the roster change before their game, putting the right-hander back in the majors after a season of short stops elsewhere.
For Fulmer, the timing matters because this is not just another minor-league shuffle. He had already signed with the San Francisco Giants in the offseason, never pitched in the majors for them, and was released on Aug. 4. A week later, on Aug. 11, he joined the Los Angeles Angels on a minor-league deal. Four days after that, the Angels selected his contract.
The path from there was brief. Eight days after selecting him, the Angels designated Fulmer for assignment. He cleared waivers, elected free agency and then reached the Yankees on a Major League contract. The move gives New York an arm that was available after two other clubs moved on, and it does so without any waiting period in the minors.
What the Yankees are getting is a familiar name with an uneven season behind him. Fulmer was identified as a former Detroit Tigers All-Star right-hander, and the Giants stint never reached the majors at all. That leaves the Yankees with an immediate roster addition, but the club has not said what role he will have or what terms were attached to the contract.
The uncertainty is part of the story now. Fulmer has gone from the Giants to the Angels to the Yankees in the span of one season, and each stop ended quickly enough to leave one question hanging: whether this new opportunity is a short-term depth move or the start of a longer run in New York.
