DETROIT – Wednesday's outing was an uncharacteristically abbreviated performance for Detroit Tigers starter Michael Fulmer, who was pulled after hitting back-to-back hitters in the fifth inning of Detroit's 5-1 win over the Seattle Mariners.
The 23-year-old rookie pitcher said he felt both light-headed and dizzy after the first inning of what turned out to be his shortest outing of the season.
"I was kind of fighting a bit of lightheadedness, dizziness. Just didn't feel well after that first inning," Fulmer said. "But the good thing about this team is they saved me. The bullpen did their job. They did fantastic. [Outfielder] Steven Moya had a couple of nice catches in right field along with the two home runs. That's why I love this team. Everybody contributes."
Fulmer wasn't sure if the ill effects he experienced during the first inning were a result of being sick or something else.
"I'm not sure. I just woke up not feeling the best and I should've done -- I could've -- I should've done a better job of executing my pitches and trying to get some quick innings in, but I tried to ease up a little bit to not over-execute myself, but just a little shortness of breath trying to catch my breath," Fulmer said.
Fulmer, who allowed one run on three hits with one walk and three strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings, said he didn't require intravenous fluids, either before or after the game, but said it's possible he may have been slightly dehydrated. The former first-round pick, who was acquired from the New York Mets at the trade deadline last season, said he's not concerned about his condition for the future.
"No. Absolutely not. We'll see tomorrow and hopefully everything gets back to normal," Fulmer said.
Manager Brad Ausmus said he could tell right away that something was not quite right about Fulmer.
"He was a little off today," Ausmus said. "He had a little bit of dead arm. I think he was trying to add on, yanking the ball. He was a tick off. Still only gave up one run, but he wasn't the guy we've seen these last few starts."
Wednesday's outing was a stark departure from Fulmer's recent stretch. Entering the game, he was 5-1 with a 0.45 ERA, a span during which he set a franchise record for scoreless innings pitched by a rookie.
Though the Tigers see his ascent as a monumental coup, especially in terms of stabilizing their starting rotation, the club is also wary of taxing his arm with too heavy a workload. Prior to the game, Ausmus said the team will look to find ways to rest the pitcher and manage his workload in advance of the All-Star break, though the manager did not confirm the Tigers will skip Fulmer's next start.
Asked how he feels about that potential scenario, Fulmer said, "I do what I'm told. I'm not exactly sure what the plan is ... but I'll do whatever the team needs. If that's not pitch for a while, then I won't pitch for a while. If it's pitch every fifth day until the end of the season, I'll do that. I've got no problems. I feel healthy. Arm feels great and keep piling on wins with this team."
