Jeff Fulchino
Jeffrey Paul Fulchino is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He pitched in Major League Baseball for the Florida Marlins, Kansas City Royals, Houston Astros and San Diego Padres.
Career
Florida Marlins
Fulchino was drafted by the Florida Marlins in the eighth round of the 2001 Major League Baseball draft. He made his major league debut on June 22, 2006, against the Baltimore Orioles. He faced two batters, recording one out and one walk. Fulchino was optioned to the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes on June 25.Fulchino spent playing for Triple-A Albuquerque, finishing 6–2 with a 5.83 ERA in 16 starts.
Kansas City Royals
On February 8,, Fulchino signed a minor league contract with the Kansas City Royals. On June 8, Fulchino was called up to replace the struggling Joel Peralta. He was optioned back to the Triple-A Omaha Royals on June 23 when Peralta was recalled to the roster. Fulchino was recalled for a second time on August 15, and remained on the Royals' roster for the remainder of the season. He posted a 9.00 ERA in 12 games with Kansas City.Houston Astros
On December 8, 2008, Fulchino was claimed off waivers by the Houston Astros.After Fulchino's recall from the Triple-A Round Rock Express on April 12, 2009, he posted the best season of his career. He finished with a 6–4 record, throwing 81 innings over 62 games while striking out 71 batters and boasting an ERA of 3.40.
In 2010, Fulchino struggled with inconsistency and an injury to his right elbow that sidelined him for a month. He went 2–1 with a 5.51 ERA in 50 games. In the offseason, he underwent arthroscopic elbow surgery.
Fulchino made 36 appearances for the Astros in 2011, going 1–4 with a 5.18 ERA.