Michael Fulmer once was among the top pitching prospects in the Mets farm system, along with the likes of Zack Wheeler , Matt Harvey , Jacob deGrom and Noah Syndergaard .
But the former first-round pick never made it to Citi Field as a Met. Instead the right-hander was part of the trade that brought Yoenis Cespedes from Detroit in 2015 , which sparked the Mets' run to the World Series that season.
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Now, he's a 33-year-old veteran reliever with the Yankees , trying to get to the playoffs for the first time.
"It brings back memories, facing the team that drafted you,'' Fulmer said before the Subway Series opener on Friday at Yankee Stadium. "You're always grateful to them.''
Despite his success as a starter with the Tigers, where he was the 2016 American League Rookie of the Year and an All-Star the following year, Fulmer has yet to pitch in October.
In Detroit , Fulmer was part of a team that finished 2 ½ games out of the playoffs in his rookie campaign. He later pitched on competitive teams with playoff aspirations in Minnesota in 2022 and the Cubs in '23.
New York Yankees pitcher Michael Fulmer delivers a pitch against the Colorado Rockies during the ninth inning at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York, on Thursday, September 10, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
He's hoping that streak of missing out ends this year.
"So far, it's been awesome,'' Fulmer said of his time with the Yankees after he signed a major league deal last month. "I really want to help them get to the playoffs, but I can't get ahead of myself."
After spending time with four different organizations in 2025, the Yankees are Fulmer's third team this season. He opened the year in the Giants organization before being released and landing with the Angels. He was designated for assignment by Anaheim and cleared waivers before a spate of injuries in the Yankees bullpen opened the door to The Bronx.
Michael Fulmer of the New York Yankees reacts after allowing a two-run home run during the tenth inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Sept. 2, 2026, in Anaheim, California. Getty Images
"You want to go for as long as you can,'' Fulmer said. "Life — and this sport — comes at you fast. I just try to go out, compete and stay healthy. I want to try and stay around as long as I can."
And pitch in the playoffs.
"That would mean a lot, but you can't overthink it,'' Fulmer said.
He made just three appearances in the majors this season — all with the Angels in August — before joining the Yankees.
Entering Friday, Fulmer pitched in seven games with the Yankees and allowed a pair of earned runs, five hits and three walks over six innings, while fanning seven.
The Yankees have plenty of decisions to make in filling out their pen for the postseason and Fulmer may face an uphill battle to make it, but he'll take his chances.
"The future holds what it holds,'' Fulmer said. "I'm just going to give it 100 percent while I'm here."
