On Tuesday, left-handed reliever Aaron Bummer began his rehab assignment with the Triple-A Charlotte Knights. Bummer is close to returning to the major league roster for the first time since June 12th, after a lat strain landed him on the injured list.
“We’re definitely moving in the right direction and things are starting to feel a lot better,” Bummer told reporters back a few weeks ago. “Once we get through that rehab assignment, we’ll be ready when the time comes.
Bummer has some of the best stuff in the White Sox bullpen. Last season his whiff rate and expected batting average ranked in the top five percentile in baseball. Ethan Katz called Bummer’s sinker “the most impressive thing I’ve ever seen” during Spring Training. The results speak for themselves.
The 29-year-old found his form in 2019. He posted a 2.13 ERA and limited opponents to a .184 batting average which earned him an extension. He followed that up with an even better showing in 2020. Bummer only allowed one run in 9.1 innings of work, leading to a 0.98 ERA in the shortened 60-game season.
This season Bummer had a 3.06 ERA in 20 appearances before straining his lat. The Nebraska product struck out 21 hitters and walked just nine.
Bummer would provide some much-needed reinforcements to a depleted White Sox bullpen. There are currently no southpaws in the White Sox bullpen outside of Tanner Banks and newly acquired Jake Diekman.
Banks has been solid in his 31 appearances this season, posting a 2.89 ERA. However, most of these appearances have come during mop-up duty. Meanwhile, Diekman has struggled to the tune of a 5.40 ERA since coming to the southside.
White Sox pitching ranks 23rd in the MLB in ERA since the All-Star break and has surrendered the 20th most runs in the big leagues. Rick Hahn’s collection of arms has also allowed the 17th-highest batting average. The mid-pack is not where many envisioned a pitching staff with a lot of money invested into it.
While his addition is welcomed, will it be too little too late? Back-end bullpen help still won’t provide a solution to a lifeless offense.
Go you White Sox!