Cubs' Michael Fulmer: Takes loss in relief Saturday
Rotowire
Fulmer (0-4) allowed two runs while retiring only two batters to take the loss Saturday against the Reds. He gave up a hit and two walks while striking out two.
Fulmer was tagged for a two-run home run by Jonathan India in the fifth inning to ultimately get saddled with the loss in the 8-5 defeat, The veteran has struggled with his new team, as he now has a 7.84 ERA and has allowed two earned runs or more six times in 23 outings this year. Fulmer has lost his grip on a high-leverage role and has little fantasy appeal at the moment.
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Cubs' Michael Fulmer: Struggles again Monday
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Fulmer (0-3) allowed two runs on two hits while retiring two batters to take the loss Monday against the Astros. He walked one and struck out one.
Fulmer came on in the seventh inning and struggled, serving up a two-run home to Alex Bregman before getting the hook. The veteran has allowed five earned runs across 1.1 innings in his last two appearances, and he's stuck with an ugly 7.50 ERA overall. Fulmer was better last year with a 3.39 ERA while splitting time between Detroit and Minnesota, so he could still rebound in 2023. However, he's worked his way out of closer mix for the time being and has little value in most fantasy formats.
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Cubs' Michael Fulmer: Pitching better lately
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Fulmer worked around a hit to pitch a scoreless inning and record a hold in Friday's win over the Marlins.
Fulmer worked the eighth in the eventual 4-1 victory for his third hold of the season, and he's been pitching better lately. Since allowing six earned runs combined in consecutive outings on April 20 and 23, the veteran has now logged four straight scoreless appearances. Fulmer now has a 6.08 ERA and should continue to see high-leverage work for the Cubs if he looks like this version.
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Cubs' Michael Fulmer: Gets hit hard Thursday
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Fulmer (0-2) allowed four runs on three hits and a walk while retiring only one batter to take the loss Thursday against the Dodgers.
Fulmer had a nightmare outing out of the bullpen, which pushed his ERA up to 7.56. He had an ERA of 3.38 coming into the night but will now need to string together some good performances to get back to a respectable level. Brad Boxberger has been more effective so far, and it wouldn't be shocking to see the Cubs look his way in the ninth instead of Fulmer, at least in the short term.
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Cubs' Michael Fulmer: Earns first hold
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Fulmer pitched a scoreless inning of relief with one strikeout in Saturday's 3-2 win over the Dodgers.
After blowing a save chance in the ninth inning Saturday, Fulmer worked the eighth inning Sunday for his first hold of the season, while Brad Boxberger got the ninth. The two veterans were expected to split closing duties this year, though based on recent events, perhaps Boxberger has edged slightly ahead of Fulmer. The latter should still see plenty of high-leverage work, however, and is likely to maintain some fantasy appeal.
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Cubs' Michael Fulmer: Blows another save
Rotowire
Fulmer (0-1) took the loss and blew the save against the Dodgers on Saturday, allowing two runs on three hits while striking out one batter over two-thirds of an inning.
The Cubs carried a tenuous 1-0 lead into the bottom of the ninth inning and turned to Fulmer to close things out. The right-hander couldn't get the job done, surrendering a two-out, two-run walkoff single to David Peralta after allowing a pair of one-out hits. Fulmer converted his first save chance of the season against Texas on April 7, but he's since blown his next two opportunities and has allowed three earned runs across 2.2 frames over his past three outings.
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Cubs' Michael Fulmer: Blows save Monday
Rotowire
Fulmer allowed a run on two hits across an inning of work to blow the save Monday against the Mariners. He struck out one.
Tasked with protecting a 2-1 lead in the ninth inning, Fulmer allowed a solo home run to Jarred Kelenic to blow his first save of the year, but the Cubs would rally for the 3-2 win in 10 innings. The run was the first one allowed this season by Fulmer, who now has a 2.08 ERA and eight strikeouts across 4.1 innings. He should continue to see regular save chances, though Brad Boxberger remains in the mix as well.
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Cubs' Michael Fulmer: Notches first save
Rotowire
Fulmer gave up a hit and struck out four over two scoreless innings Friday to record his first save of the season in a 2-0 win over the Rangers.
Neither Brad Boxberger nor Adbert Alzolay had pitched since Tuesday, but Cubs manager David Ross still elected to use Fulmer for multiple innings to close out the shutout, and the right-hander ultimately threw 28 pitches (18 strikes) as he picked up the team's first save of the year. The usage suggests that Ross might view Fulmer as more of a fireman than a pure ninth-inning arm, but he remains the favorite to finish the season leading the team in saves.
Cubs' Michael Fulmer: Pitches ninth inning Thursday
Rotowire
Fulmer pitched a scoreless inning with one hit allowed and two strikeouts in Thursday's 4-0 win over the Brewers.
Fulmer got the ninth inning while Brad Boxberger worked the eighth, but it was a non-save situation. Still, it's a promising sign for Fulmer that he was the last reliever used on Opening Day. He figures to split closer duties with Boxberger based on spring training reports, though Fulmer may be slightly ahead at this point.
Cubs' Michael Fulmer: Has less competition in bullpen
Rotowire
With Rowan Wick outrighted to Triple-A Iowa on Monday, according to Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times, Fulmer and Brad Boxberger should be the Cubs' primary options at the back end of games.
It was previously reported that Fulmer and Boxberger were viewed as the leading candidates to close, and this news should cement those two at the back of the bullpen. It remains to be seen if one of the pitchers will emerge as the primary closer. For now, fantasy managers should keep tabs on both of the veterans as the regular season approaches.
