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Michael Fulmer's Tommy John surgery has risks along with rewards

Free Press food writer Susan Selasky and chef Mark of Tigers' vendor Delaware North preview the new items on the menu at Comerica Park this season. Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press Food Writer

The Detroit Tigers’ plans for their rotation, both this season and in the future, took a serious hit when right-handed starter Michael Fulmer was diagnosed as needing Tommy John surgery, in which the ulnar collateral ligament in the elbow is replaced by another tendon (either from elsewhere on the body or from a cadaver).

It’s become increasingly common — estimates have nearly a third of big-league pitchers having had the surgery — though it's not always successful.