Michael Fulmer was the American League Rookie of the Year in 2016 after joining the Tigers’ rotation at the end of April. That same year, Daniel Norris was a late-season boost in his first full big league season, posting a 3.04 ERA after his August return and pitching to Detroit victories in six of his final seven starts.

Together, they were a big reason why the Tigers made a late charge and took their postseason hopes to the final day of the season. Four years and four surgeries later, they’re together again, this time in the same game, as they try to get their pitching careers back on the right track.

It’s not a situation either wants. Fulmer would like to pitch deeper into games than the three or so innings he’s being afforded, and Norris -- a piggyback starter for stretches last year -- wants to be a full-time hurler. But by pairing them up in a piggyback setup for Monday’s series opener against the White Sox, the Tigers hope they can get the best out of both pitchers while also doing the right thing for their staff.

“Get both those guys going and hopefully get three [innings] out of both of them and work from there,” manager Ron Gardenhire said.

Fulmer hasn’t pitched in a game since his July 27 return from Tommy John surgery, a start that lasted 2 2/3 innings and 47 pitches. He was warmed up to start last weekend against the Reds before a sudden downpour washed out the game. Instead of pushing him back a day, the Tigers held him back for the series against the Cardinals, which was later postponed.

In Fulmer’s place, the Tigers brought back Norris, who began the season on the injured list after he missed Summer Camp while in COVID-19 protocol. He recorded five outs over 54 pitches, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks.

Both pitchers threw in simulated games over the break -- four innings and 70 pitches for Fulmer -- and felt encouraged. Norris said it was the best he felt with his pitching in a long time. Both are admittedly working through issues related to rust.

“Just trying to still figure out mechanics as a whole,” Fulmer said. “Some things have worked. Some things have not worked. We’re just still trying to find a middle ground. I think the first start of the season for me -- a little amped up would be an understatement -- and I think it showed misfiring with all the fastballs.”

Norris said he spent his extra time working on mechanics, but also his changeup. He said his fastball bumped up to 93-94 mph, which plays better with his changeup in the upper 80s.

“That was the big thing in my start, that they weren’t really chasing my changeup,” Norris said. “I was just short with it and not throwing it for strikes. In my live BP the other day, it was a lot better. It was more just attacking. I think that was the deal with my start the other day; I was really just trying to make the perfect pitch, and I was missing.”

From a competitive standpoint, the pairing could be an advantage, beyond the simple righty-lefty combination.

“I think purely stuffwise, we play off each other well,” Fulmer said. “I’m going to try to get as deep into the game as I can go, but Norris, with his command of his offspeed pitches and that deadly changeup he has, I think he can come in out of the bullpen and just let it eat. I think now coming in and facing guys one time through the lineup, he’s going to be amped up, and I think it’s going to pay off for us as a team.”

Quick hits
• Cameron Maybin is doing full field work, from hitting to throwing to outfield drills, and progressing through his sprint program as he works back from the right quad strain that landed him on the 10-day injured list on July 31.

• Dario Agrazal threw his first bullpen session Saturday after going on the IL a couple weeks ago with a right forearm strain.

• Jordan Zimmermann, on the 45-day IL with a right forearm strain, is long-tossing as he begins his throwing progression.

• Gardenhire said the Tigers have not heard anything on the status of their scheduled doubleheader against the Cardinals set for Thursday. The twin bill was scheduled after their four-game series last week was postponed while the Cards were quarantined due to COVID-19 positive tests. St. Louis’ schedule remains on hold due to additional tests.