White Sox's Aaron Bummer: Getting looks in high leverage
Rotowire
Bummer has recorded three holds in his last five appearances for the White Sox.
Bummer has had an up-and-down season, but the White Sox gutted their bullpen at the trade deadline. In turn, he's been asked to pitch in a higher-leverage role of late, and he's maintained a 1.09 WHIP with an 18:8 K:BB across 15.2 innings since the All-Star break. Gregory Santos is the team's preferred closer at this point, though Bummer could get a look if Santos stumbles in the role.
White Sox's Aaron Bummer: Scheduled to pitch Friday
Rotowire
Bummer (lat) is scheduled to appear in Friday's Cactus League game against the Athletics, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.
Bummer will be making his Cactus League debut against Oakland after missing the start of spring training with soreness in his right lat. The right-hander isn't a lock to make the Opening Day roster because of how much time he'll have missed, but his stint on the injured list would likely be short if he isn't available for the start of the season. Bummer could be in line for save chances for the White Sox at some point in 2023 with no defined closer for Chicago to begin the campaign.
White Sox's Aaron Bummer: Throws first bullpen session
Rotowire
Bummer (lat) threw a bullpen session Thursday, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.
It's the first time he's thrown off a mound since he went down with some left lat soreness in early February. The White Sox will wait to see how Bummer recovers Friday before deciding the next step. The team remains hopeful that Bummer will be ready for Opening Day, but he can't afford any missteps.
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White Sox's Aaron Bummer: On track with shoulder/lat issue
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White Sox manager Pedro Grifol said Wednesday that Bummer (shoulder/lat) is on track to be ready for Opening Day, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Bummer came down with some discomfort in his left shoulder/lat in early February and is behind the other relievers in White Sox camp, but there doesn't seem to be a whole lot of concern. "I think he's on pace. I haven't heard anything different," said Grifol. "He's feeling good ... the last time I spoke to our trainers, he's on pace." Bummer, 29, might be in line for a healthy share of save chances this season given the uncertainty around Liam Hendriks following his non-Hodgkin's lymphoma diagnosis in January.
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White Sox's Aaron Bummer: Saves game in extra innings
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Bummer picked up the save Saturday against the Tigers, allowing one run on one hit while striking out one batter and walking none over one inning.
Although Bummer gave up a run in the 11th inning of Saturday's contest, the White Sox had already given him two runs of wiggle room. Bummer was credited with the save, his second of the season. In five innings this month, the reliever has a blown save and two wins in addition to Saturday's save.
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White Sox's Aaron Bummer: Reinstated from IL
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Bummer (shoulder) was reinstated from the 60-day injured list Monday.
Bummer sustained a left lat strain in mid-June, but he's been throwing off a mound for several weeks and began a rehab assignment last week. The southpaw allowed two runs on three hits and a walk while striking out two in two innings over two rehab appearances and has now been cleared to rejoin Chicago's bullpen, where he should factor into some setup duties down the stretch.
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White Sox's Aaron Bummer: Shifts to 60-day injured list
Rotowire
Bummer (shoulder) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Friday.
The move creates space for the White Sox to select Mark Payton's contract. It should have minimal impact on Bummer's return timeline, as he's eligible to return as soon as Saturday. He might not be ready quite that quickly, but he shouldn't be out too much longer, as he began a rehab assignment Tuesday.
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White Sox's Aaron Bummer: Nearing rehab assignment
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Bummer (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Charlotte on Tuesday, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.
Bummer has been throwing off a mound over the last several weeks and will now return to game action with the minor-league club. The southpaw expects to be at Charlotte for approximately a week, which would likely put him on track to rejoin the White Sox at some point during their road trip in Seattle that begins Sept. 5.
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White Sox's Aaron Bummer: Steps back on mound
Rotowire
Bummer (shoulder) completed a 26-pitch bullpen session Thursday, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.
The side session was Bummer's second since he was placed on the injured list June 12 with a left lat strain, but he incorporated his full arsenal Thursday for the first time. Bummer will still require another bullpen session and a simulated game or two as he works to build up his velocity, but if he remains free of setbacks during the ramp-up process, he could be ready to embark on a minor-league rehab assignment before the end of August. Before landing on the IL, the lefty reliever posted a 3.06 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and 21:9 K:BB in 17.2 innings while collecting one save and nine holds.
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White Sox's Aaron Bummer: Not yet throwing off mound
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Manager Tony La Russa said Thursday that Bummer (shoulder) isn't yet throwing off a mound, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.
Bummer has been on the injured list since June 12 due to a left lat strain but has made slow progress in his recovery over the past month. He's unlikely to have a return timetable until he's able to progress in a throwing program.
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White Sox's Aaron Bummer: Recovery moving slowly
Rotowire
Bummer (shoulder) has yet to begin a throwing program, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.
General manager Rick Hahn expanded upon Bummer's injury Monday, noting that the issue was in the tendon connecting the shoulder and lat. Bummer continues to progress, but the team is playing his return cautiously to ensure the area is fully healed.
