If you don't use it as previously suggested as a USB device then you may have to manually edit the target Virtual Machine's .vmx configuration file.
Look for an option in the .vmx configuration file that has the following syntax:
ide|scsi(n):(n).deviceType = "cdrom-raw|atapi-cdrom|cdrom-image"
Example:
ide1:0.deviceType = "atapi-cdrom"
The option above should show as a virtualized device in the Guest OS.
The option below should show the Host's device in the Guest OS.
ide1:0.deviceType = "cdrom-raw"
Have a look at: Editing the .vmx file for your VMware Fusion virtual machine (1014782)