The Red Sox originally signed Michael Fulmer because chief baseball officer Craig Breslow was familiar with the righty from the time they shared together with the Cubs. Now, after a 14-month stint with the Red Sox that resulted in just one appearance at the major league level, Fulmer is headed back to Chicago.

Fulmer, who elected free agency Sunday after the Red Sox designated him for assignment, has signed a minor-league deal with the Cubs and reported to Triple-A Iowa, according to Tommy Birch of the Des Moines Register.

Fulmer, the former 2016 American League Rookie of the Year and a 2017 All-Star for the Tigers, signed a two-year minor league deal with the Red Sox in February 2024, just a few months after undergoing surgery to repair a damaged ligament in his pitching elbow. He spent all of 2024 rehabbing with Red Sox trainers in Fort Myers and entered spring training ready to compete for a roster spot this year. He didn’t make the Opening Day roster but after a strong initial showing at Triple-A Worcester, was called up on April 13. He pitched one day later in a blowout loss in Tampa, allowing three runs (all earned) on four hits in 2 ⅔ innings in what would be his lone appearance in a Red Sox uniform.

Needing a roster spot for rookie Hunter Dobbins last Friday, the Red Sox designated Fulmer for assignment, effectively ending his time with the organization.

“This is where we’re at now with the roster. We have some good players,” manager Alex Cora said. “Like I said, he helped us win that series. It doesn’t look that way but he did. Without him, we don’t beat the Rays two out of three. Let’s see what happens in the next 24 hours. Hopefully, he stays with us, being selfish. But if someone claims him, it would be awesome for him.”

Fulmer, as an eight-year big league veteran, had the right to control his own future and decided to hit free agency instead of heading back to Worcester. It took just a couple days for him to go back to the Cubs, with whom he pitched to a 4.42 ERA in 58 appearances (one start) back in 2023.

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Read the original article on MassLive.