The New York Yankees signed veteran right-hander Michael Fulmer to a major-league contract on Wednesday, adding bullpen depth after placing Fernando Cruz on the 15-day injured list with right elbow discomfort following a loss to the Houston Astros.
Roster Shuffled After Bullpen Struggles and Injuries
The New York Yankees made sweeping adjustments to their pitching staff ahead of Wednesday’s game against the Houston Astros at Yankee Stadium. Right-hander Fernando Cruz was placed on the 15-day injured list with right elbow discomfort. Cruz surrendered a game-tying two-run home run to Jeremy Peña during a recent 9-7 loss to Houston. Although Cruz stated after the outing that he felt healthy, he struggled significantly following the All-Star break, posting a 5.52 ERA across 17 appearances. Team medical staff evaluated him closely, and he was seen leaving the clubhouse alongside head athletic trainer Tim Lentych.
To fill the immediate vacancy created by Cruz and ongoing rotation challenges, the front office turned to the free-agent market. The organization signed veteran right-hander Michael Fulmer to a major league deal. Fulmer arrives with a substantial track record, offering the club an experienced arm as the regular season enters its final stretch.
Fulmer’s Journey to New York
Fulmer’s path to the Bronx involved several organizational stops over the past two seasons. The Los Angeles Angels designated the 33-year-old pitcher for assignment after he made three scoreless relief appearances totaling 3 2/3 innings. Following that designation, he cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Salt Lake on Tuesday, but ultimately elected free agency rather than remain in Triple-A within the Angels system.
The veteran right-hander has bounced across multiple farm systems recently. He pitched for four different organizations in 2025, spending time in Triple-A alongside brief major league call-ups with the Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs. Earlier this year, he pitched for the San Francisco Giants’ Triple-A affiliate in Sacramento before joining the Angels. Across his minor league appearances this season in the Pacific Coast League, Fulmer combined to go 4-2 with 10 saves and a 2.93 ERA, striking out 52 batters against 21 walks across 43 innings.
A Decade of Experience Since Rookie Honors
Fulmer first established himself nationally a decade ago. Originally acquired by the Detroit Tigers from the New York Mets in a trade for outfielder Yoenis Céspedes alongside pitcher Luis Cessa, Fulmer won the American League Rookie of the Year award in 2016. He served as a steady starter through 2017 and 2018 before injuries began interrupting his career.
After undergoing his first Tommy John surgery, which sidelined him for the entire 2019 campaign and limited his work in 2020, Fulmer made a successful transition to the bullpen. He posted a 3.20 ERA in 39 1/3 innings for Detroit in 2022 before being traded to the Minnesota Twins at the deadline for Sawyer Gipson-Long. He subsequently signed a one-year, $4 million contract with the Chicago Cubs before the 2023 season. Another Tommy John procedure immediately following that campaign wiped out his entire 2024 season, but he has since rebuilt his durability by logging more than 100 cumulative relief innings.
Filling Multiple Staff Vacancies
Fulmer’s arrival is part of a broader roster overhaul designed to stabilize the pitching staff. The Yankees have been forced to navigate a wave of pitching injuries that taxed both the rotation and the bullpen. Max Fried went on the injured list earlier in August, though his absence was temporarily softened by Carlos Rodón returning from the IL. However, a subsequent injury to Ryan Weathers left another opening in the starting rotation.
Elmer Rodríguez stepped in to make a spot start during a demanding stretch where the team played 10 games in nine days, including a doubleheader against the Boston Red Sox. While Fried is expected to return during that twin bill, management continues to monitor depth arms closely. In corresponding moves alongside Fulmer’s signing, the Yankees optioned right-hander Bradley Hanner to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and transferred right-hander Kervin Castro to the 60-day injured list due to right elbow neuritis.
Bullpen Outlook Moving Forward
The loss of Cruz creates a temporary void in high-leverage relief situations. Cruz had emerged as a key setup arm for the club, accumulating two saves and 19 holds on the year despite his recent second-half struggles. If his stint on the active roster’s sidelines remains minimal, he could return in time to regain form before the postseason begins.
For Fulmer, this major league contract offers an immediate chance to contribute to a contender’s bullpen mix. With Justin Topa also recently added to the active roster, New York hopes its latest wave of reinforcements can bridge the gap as injured starters work their way back to health.
