White Sox reliever Aaron Bummer dealing with ongoing soreness

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.”