Aaron

Bummer

It was reported last month that the Braves would exercise their $7.25 million option on Bummer, but he’s instead getting a new deal that pays him $3.5 million next season and $9.5 million in 2026. Bummer had a 3.58 ERA over 55 1/3 innings in his first season with the Braves.

Ozuna’s $16 million option had become an easy call, and expectations were always that d’Arnaud would be back, whether it was through the $8 million option year or not. Bummer was the tougher call at $7.25 million. He pitched 55 1/3 innings with a 3.58 ERA this year.

It’s definitely not every day you see five players get traded for a setup man with a 6.79 ERA. Bummer has always had a fantastic groundball rate and often an excellent strikeout rate to go along with it, though he hasn’t always pitched up to his ability. That was particularly the case last season. The Braves obviously think he’ll turn it around, and they’re probably right. He’s under control for three more years at $20.25 million, with the last two seasons being team options. He’s only guaranteed an additional $6.75 million.

Bummer entered a 7-2 game in the eighth, so it wasn’t a save situation. It would have been if someone else had taken over for him with the score 7-4 in the ninth, but with Gregory Santos absent, Bummer was the guy the White Sox trusted, even with his 6.53 ERA this year. That his ERA is so high is truly incredible, given that he has a 49/19 K/BB ratio and he’s yet to allow a homer in 39 innings. Since Opening Day, every grounder he’s induced has seemed to find a hole. Even so, he will be a threat for saves if Santos begins to struggle.

Liam Hendriks isn’t coming back, so Santos only needs to pitch well to see to it that he’s the White Sox’s closer for the rest of the year. This one wasn’t great, though, as he allowed three singles before a hard lineout to left ended the eighth. Aaron Bummer, who got five outs in the sixth and seventh innings, was better. He’s the main threat to take save chances away from Santos.

There were some questions whether Bummer would be ready in time for the White Sox’ season opener due to left shoulder soreness, but he appears ready to go. He’ll likely be in the mix for the occasional save chance, depending on the matchup, along with Kendall Graveman and Reynaldo López, while Liam Hendriks remains sidelined.

Bummer continues to make steady progress in his recovery from left shoulder soreness and is expected to face hitters a couple more times before getting into a spring training contest. It sounds like there’s a chance he’s ready for the outset of the regular season and could wind up being in the mix for saves with Liam Hendriks sidelined as he continues to undergo treatment.

Bummer is behind schedule this spring coming back from soreness in his shoulder and lat area. He’s feeling better now, but the White Sox will map out a plan depending on how he bounces back on Friday. The clock is ticking for him to be ready for the season, so he can’t afford any setbacks at this point.

The 28-year-old southpaw is dealing with the same type of soreness that he experienced during the 2022 season that limited him to just 32 appearances. For his part, Bummer does not seem concerned and told reporters on Tuesday that he still expects to be ready in time for Opening Day.

Hendriks remains without a timetable to return as he continues to undergo treatment for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. His health and recovery are the primary concerns for everyone in Chicago, but Grifol is going to have to pick from some combination of Kendall Graveman, Joe Kelly, Aaron Bummer and Reynaldo López in closing situations this season. There’s unlikely to be any clarity this spring until we get closer to Opening Day.