The White Sox are closely monitoring one of their key relievers.
According to MLB.com’s Scott Merkin, left-handed pitcher Aaron Bummer still hasn’t thrown off a mound since the start of Spring Training. The southpaw is reportedly dealing with “nagging soreness in the same left/shoulder/lat area” that limited him during the 2022 season.
Bummer, 29, was originally placed on the 15-day IL on June 12 (retroactive to June 9) with a left lat strain. The reliever was solid in his work last year, registering a 2.36 ERA (7 ER/26.2 IP) with 30 strikeouts, two saves, and a 3.19 FIP. While he wasn’t as overpowering as he was in 2019 or 2020, likely in part to the injury, Bummer certainly provided a boost to a bullpen in need of it toward the end of the season.
Despite the lingering effects of soreness, Bummer is not concerned about getting off to a slow start. He told Merkin, “As long as we continue to feel good now, we are going to be right where we need to be.”
According to Merkin, Bummer and the White Sox have developed a throwing plan that has March 28 as the target date to be ready. With Liam Hendriks expected to miss time with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, the White Sox will likely be relying more heavily on Bummer to serve in a late-game role in addition to providing his usual lefty presence.
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