CHICAGO (670 The Score) -- White Sox right-hander Dane Dunning’s big league debut Wednesday was another notable step in the organization’s long-term vision of competing for multiple championships.
Dunning, 25, was part of the package that the White Sox received for trading outfielder Adam Eaton to the Nationals in December 2016. The White Sox wouldn’t have made the deal had Dunning not been included along with right-hander Lucas Giolito and right-hander Reynaldo Lopez.
Dunning was impressive for most of his debut, displaying good command and a sharp breaking ball in going 4 1/3 innings and striking out seven batters. He shut out the Tigers for four innings before allowing a three-run homer in the fifth inning and then exiting. He left with the White Sox trailing 3-1, but they rallied for a 5-3 win.
"It was a really nice debut for him,” manager Rick Renteria said. “He had a little trouble in the fourth and fifth, but he had really good composure tonight. He looked really good. We are excited about him.”
Dunning got his opportunity in the White Sox’s 25th game of the shortened season because of a string on injuries. Lopez, left-hander Carlos Rodon, right-hander Jimmy Lambert and standout reliever Aaron Bummer have all been sidelined by injuries.
Lopez is the closest to returning, but he won’t be asked to carry a big workload when he's back. Dunning himself had Tommy John surgery in March 2019, so the White Sox will be mindful of his workload as well.
“We will be cautious with all of the pitchers returning from injuries,” Renteria said before the game Tuesday. “It kind of fits where we are at (as a depleted staff) to see where he is at. We do have our own limitations, and we will hold to those for all of our guys returning.”
Renteria liked what he saw from Dunning on Wednesday, but he stopped short of confirming that Dunning had earned another start the next time through the rotation while hinting that he’s currently limited to around 75 pitches.
On Thursday morning, the White Sox optioned Dunning back to their alternate camp at Schaumburg while recalling outfielder Nicky Delmonico. Dunning could be back with the White Sox next week, as the team made the roster move with the series against the Cubs in mind this weekend.
“There are some things going on schedule wise,” Renteria said. “We have a couple of days off (Monday and next Thursday). Those play into some of the plans (for Dunning) possibly.”
What was clear was that Dunning belongs, and the depleted White Sox’s staff could use his contributions. After general manager Rick Hahn and the White Sox launched their rebuild back in December 2016 with the trades of Eaton and ace left-hander Chris Sale, he often emphasized the need to build strong depth if the team wanted to have a consistent winner.
Hahn knew adversity would await his organization. The White Sox have experienced that in this campaign, but thanks in part to better depth, they’re also off to a 14-11 start and in a good position to reach the expanded 16-team playoffs.
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.