Bummer (1-1) was credited with the win Monday against the Astros, giving up one hit in a scoreless two-thirds of an inning.
The left-hander got the final out of the fifth inning after relieving Darius Vines, and the official scorer elected to give Bummer the win. It's the earliest in a game he's pitched so far this season, but Bummer has been deployed anywhere from the fifth to the ninth inning as a utility arm in the Atlanta bullpen. Through six innings and seven appearances, he's posted a 4.50 ERA, 1.67 WHIP and 5:2 K:BB with zero holds or saves.
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Braves' Aaron Bummer: Tagged with loss Sunday
Rotowire
Bummer (0-1) got charged with a blown save and took the loss Sunday against the Phillies, giving up two runs on four hits while striking out one in the seventh inning.
In his second appearance of the season, Bummer entered the game to protect a 3-2 lead with a runner on first and nobody out. The southpaw seemed to have gotten out of the inning clean after fanning Brandon Marsh and getting Johan Rojas to ground into a double play, but Rojas was ruled safe at first base on replay, and Bummer then allowed four straight singles. After recording 12 wins, 46 holds and an 11.7 K/9 over the prior three seasons for the White Sox, Bummer is being counted on as a reliable high-leverage option in the Atlanta bullpen, but competition is fierce and a poor start to the campaign could see him fall behind Tyler Matzek or Dylan Lee in the pecking order from the left side.
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Braves' Aaron Bummer: Mixed results this spring
Rotowire
Bummer gave up a run on two hits while striking out two in an inning of relief during Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Rays.
Acquired from the White Sox in the offseason, Bummer has been touched for runs in three of his five appearances this spring and has a 7.20 ERA, but he's largely been working later innings with minor-league defenders behind him. A better indication of how his camp has gone might come from his 5:0 K:BB through five innings. The 30-year-old could be the top lefty in the Atlanta bullpen to begin the year if A.J. Minter (finger) and Tyler Matzek (side) aren't ready for Opening Day, but regardless of where Bummer slots in the pecking order for setup duties, there should be plenty of leads to protect for a team that's won over 100 games each of the last two seasons.
Bummer was traded from the White Sox to Atlanta on Thursday in exchange for Michael Soroka (forearm), Jared Shuster, Nicky Lopez, Braden Shewmake and Riley Gowens.
Bummer was commonly used in high-leverage situations by the White Sox in 2023, as he managed 15 holds in 61 appearances. While he maintained only a 6.79 ERA and 1.53 WHIP, his 78:36 K:BB across 58.1 innings suggests there's plenty of upside in his profile. Bummer could emerge as one of Atlanta's top setup men for Raisel Iglesias in 2024.
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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.
