Right-hander Jeff Fulchino has elected free agency, according to MLB.com's transactions page. The Padres claimed Fulchino from the Astros at the beginning of September, but he recorded just five outs for San Diego. As a first time arbitration eligible player, he would have been in line for a salary in the $800K range if the Padres had tendered him a contract.
Fulchino, 31, posted a 5.71 ERA with 8.6 K/9, 5.7 BB/9 and a 38.1% ground ball rate in 34 2/3 innings for the Astros and Padres this year. He has a career ERA of 4.84 with 8.2 K/9 and 4.0 BB/9 in 178 1/3 MLB innings since 2006 and his average fastball velocity is 93.3mph.
