Tigers monitoring Fulmer’s pitch counts, not innings

DETROIT — The Tigers have been watching Michael Fulmer’s innings ever since calling him up at the end of April, hoping to keep him within a workload range. The way Fulmer has pitched this summer has forced team officials to change their thinking.

It’s not just about how well he’s pitching, but how efficiently, enough that they’re thinking in terms of pitch counts rather than innings. In terms of pitches thrown, the Tigers believe they can keep him in a safe range the rest of the season without having to shut him down early, or maybe even skipping a start.

“In terms of pitches thrown, he’s actually in real good shape,” manager Brad Ausmus said on Tuesday, before Fulmer tossed 6 2/3 innings of one-run ball on 91 pitches against the White Sox on Wednesday night at Comerica Park.

Among all the impressive statistics Fulmer has produced this season, headlined by a 2.42 ERA in 17 starts that would easily lead American League pitchers if he had enough innings to qualify, his efficiency has gone relatively overlooked. He’s averaging 15.38 pitches per inning, second lowest among Tigers pitchers, behind Shane Greene (15.20). He would rank 10th among AL …

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