(670 The Score) White Sox manager Tony La Russa may have summed up setup man Aaron Bummer's talents best Monday when asked about reigning American League MVP Jose Abreu working back into form after contracting and recovering from COVID-19.
“With Bummer throwing, nobody is going to look good,” La Russa said of how Abreu squared off against Bummer in batting practice.
The White Sox bullpen has been the talk of MLB throughout the winter. That’s because they added star closer Liam Hendriks to a strong mix that includes Bummer and a plethora of hard-throwing relievers. Bummer was thrilled in January when he heard that the White Sox had signed Hendriks, who’s known for his fiery demeanor on the mound – a much different approach from the laidback Bummer.
“It’s kind of funny at the end of games, you will in most cases have the complete opposite demeanor out there on the mound,” Bummer said of Hendriks on Inside the Clubhouse on 670 The Score. “Usually I think I am pretty chill and relaxed out on the mound. He is out there yelling and screaming at everything he does.
It's kind of a yin and a yang in that aspect of our approaches. As a group, I think we can all learn something from Liam as well. He prides himself as a guy who can throw every single day. He never wants the ball taken out of his hands. There is something even at age 27 and with some good experience, I can learn from him. We can all learn.”
While Hendriks is set to handle the ninth inning, Bummer will handle other high-leverage duties as they aim to form a shutdown tandem at the end of games.
Bummer posted a 0.96 ERA in nine appearances in 2020, when he missed most of the pandemic-shortened season with a biceps injury. He had a 2.13 ERA in 58 appearances in 2019.
Bummer is now back to full strength and ready to get to work after arriving a week late to spring training because he and his wife just welcomed a baby daughter into the world.
"Our medical and training staff did a terrific job helping me get back all the way,” Bummer said. “They never have steered me wrong. I knew all along if I was on board with the plan they had that coming into spring training and even at the end of last season, we would not have a worry at all about the biceps. There are no worries and no hurdles to be getting over. It's going time from here on out.
"We were all on the same page with the plan. Tony, (pitching coach Ethan Katz), the training staff and the front office was all on board with the plan. They all preach a family environment here. I was grateful I could spend some time at home before coming back to Arizona. They gave me a six-week plan that included me going home. Coming back, I feel like I am in a great spot.”
Bummer is excited to work with Katz, who took over as the team’s pitching coach after veteran Don Cooper was let go from the position at the end of last season. Katz caught a side session from Bummer in January and praised his sinker as showcasing perhaps the most depth he’d ever seen.
“It was funny because when he caught me that day, I had the best sinker of my life,” an amused Bummer said. "We have had a lot of good conversations about how we can take the next step moving forward. We have talked about pitch selection and pitch usage rather than just mechanical stuff. I think in this short period of time, Ethan has put me and I believe other pitchers (in a spot) to get better. We believe the sky is the limit for this group.”
Bummer is impressed with the depth of the White Sox’s bullpen, which is set to feature fireballers in Garrett Crochet, Codi Heuer and Michael Kopech, among others.
"Things happen in bullpens, and guys go up and down,” Bummer said. “With our group, we are going to start with eight good guys at the alternate site or Triple-A that are going to be able to come up and provide good quality innings if needed.”
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.