Detroit Tigers manager Brad Ausmus opened the 2016 season with a rotation consisting of Justin Verlander, Jordan Zimmermann, Anibal Sanchez, Mike Pelfrey and Shane Greene.
By the end of the season, things weren’t exactly the same.
After a stellar start, Zimmermann struggled with injuries and inconsistency. Meanwhile, Sanchez and Pelfrey combined for 22 losses on the campaign. Greene didn’t blow people away as a starter, but looked much better coming out of the bullpen.
All this led to the young trio of Michael Fulmer, Matt Boyd and Daniel Norris pitching significant innings. The season was Fulmer’s first in the big leagues.