Fulmer could miss 14 to 16 months post surgery

LAKELAND, Fla. -- While Michael Fulmer finalizes plans for Tommy John surgery, the Tigers are planning on being without him for this season and likely part of next.

“It’s definitely a career-changing kind of injury,” general manager Al Avila said, “but our hope is that he can bounce back and we can put him back on the mound. Knowing Michael, after the surgery he’ll work hard and he’ll rehab. A lot of it will be right here in Lakeland under our supervision. Our hope is that we get him back on the mound and pitching again, and there’s no reason why he couldn’t.”

The typical timetable depends on the expectation, but a return to mound work often takes 12 to 14 months. That doesn’t include the buildup required to be ready to pitch in a game again. Add that in, and a realistic timetable for Fulmer is 14 to 16 months before rejoining Detroit's rotation.

“If you’re going to do it safely, build up the pitches, make sure you’re strong, build in enough rest time, you’re looking at 14 to 16,” Tigers head athletic trainer Doug Teter said.

Thus, Fulmer will likely spend next Spring Training rehabbing his right elbow, then open next season building up his pitching activity before going on a Minor League rehab assignment.

Mize likely to stay in Lakeland

Though Tigers officials are impressed at how advanced Casey Mize is as a pitcher in his preparation and work ethic, they’re going to be careful advancing him through the farm system. Detroit's top prospect is expected to open the year at Class A Advanced Lakeland, Avila said.

Avila cited weather as a factor in leaning towards Lakeland over Double-A Erie. The Tigers want Mize to get into a regular five-day routine, and the possibility of early-season postponements in Erie is a concern.

“I think once he gets hot and we feel that the weather breaks up north, at some point then we’ll move him to Erie,” Avila said.

Avila cited a similar plan for right-hander Franklin Perez, Detroit's No. 3 prospect by MLB Pipeline. He was in Major League camp before being optioned to Lakeland earlier this month. Perez was limited to seven outings last year due to a lat strain and right shoulder inflammation.

Matt Manning and Alex Faedo are likely to return to an Erie rotation they joined at different points last summer. Still unclear is the starting point for Beau Burrows, the Tigers’ sixth-ranked prospect. The 22-year-old right-hander has spent the last season and a half at Erie, posting a 10-9 record and 4.10 ERA in 26 starts for the SeaWolves last year. If Spencer Turnbull and Daniel Norris both open the season in Detroit, the Mud Hens could have a rotation void.

Quick hits

• The Tigers optioned infielder Brandon Dixon to Triple-A Toledo, thus reducing their camp roster to 31 (30 once Fulmer is eventually placed on the injured list).

• Jay Allen, a longtime public address announcer in Grand Rapids, is the new PA announcer at Comerica Park, the team announced Thursday. Allen was selected at the end of an audition process that began with more than 50 applicants. He replaces Bobb Vergiels, who retired at the end of last season but has served as the voice of Spring Training games at Joker Marchant Stadium.

• Ron Gardenhire was back in the dugout after missing Wednesday’s game for a painkilling injection to address a pinched nerve in his neck.

• Miguel Cabrera, who hit his third home run of the spring in Thursday’s 5-3 win over the Astros, is expected to play the remaining games this spring before the Tigers head north.

“He told me he wants to play pretty much every day the rest of the way,” Gardenhire said. “He wants to keep getting at-bats. He feels really good. He’s starting to see it really good. That tells you where he’s at.”

• Jeimer Candelario, who homered twice in Thursday’s win, also made a nice barehand field and throw on a soft grounder to third. Candelario has been working with coach Ramon Santiago on his first step and control.

• Former Tigers super-utility player and current Astros first-base coach Don Kelly was honored with a video montage between innings of Thursday’s game. Astros manager AJ Hinch nudged Kelly toward the front of the dugout at the end of the video to receive an ovation from Tigers fans. Kelly worked with Detroit the past two years as an instructor and scout.

Up next

The Tigers make their final visit to Disney World on Friday, taking on the Braves in a 6:05 p.m. ET game at Champion Stadium. Tyson Ross will make his final Spring Training tuneup opposite Julio Teheran. Watch on Fox Sports Detroit and MLB.TV.