| Aaron Bummer | |
|---|---|
.png) Bummer with theChicago White Sox in 2017 | |
| Atlanta Braves – No. 49 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1993-09-21)September 21, 1993 (age 32) Valencia, California, U.S. | |
Bats: Left Throws: Left | |
| MLB debut | |
| July 27, 2017, for the Chicago White Sox | |
| MLB statistics (through 2025 season) | |
| Win–loss record | 21–20 |
| Earned run average | 3.80 |
| Strikeouts | 429 |
| Stats atBaseball Reference | |
| Teams | |
| |
Aaron James Bummer (born September 21, 1993) is an American professionalbaseballpitcher for theAtlanta Braves ofMajor League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for theChicago White Sox.
Bummer attendedSunrise Mountain High School inPeoria, Arizona, and played for the school's baseball team.[1] He was drafted by theNew York Yankees in the 31st round of the2011 MLB draft. He did not sign with the Yankees and enrolled at theUniversity of Nebraska–Lincoln to playcollege baseball for theNebraska Cornhuskers.[2]
In 2013, Bummer playedcollegiate summer baseball with theHarwich Mariners of theCape Cod Baseball League, and was named a league all-star.[3] In 2014, as a junior at Nebraska, he had a 7–5win–loss record with a 3.34earned run average (ERA) in 15games started.[4]
TheChicago White Sox selected Bummer in the 19th round, with the 558th overall selection, of the2014 MLB draft.[2][4] After signing with the White Sox, Bummer made his professional debut that same year with theGreat Falls Voyagers where he compiled a 2.45 ERA in 22 innings pitched. He missed all of 2015 due to injury. In 2016, he pitched for theArizona League White Sox, Great Falls, andWinston-Salem Dash where he was a combined 1–2 with a 4.86 ERA in 15 relief appearances between the two teams. He began 2017 with Winston-Salem, was promoted to theBirmingham Barons in May, and was promoted to theCharlotte Knights in July.[5]
Chicago selected Bummer's contract on July 27, 2017, and he made his Major League debut that same night against theChicago Cubs, striking out the first batter he faced,Anthony Rizzo.[6] In 49 innings pitched between Winston-Salem, Birmingham and Charlotte prior to his call up, he was 1–5 with a 3.31 ERA. Bummer spent the remainder of 2017 with the White Sox, compiling a 1–3 record and 4.50 ERA in 30 relief appearances. In 2018, Bummer made 37 appearances, collecting an ERA of 4.26 in31+2⁄3 innings. The following season, he improved dramatically, making 58 appearances while registering an ERA of 2.13 in67+1⁄3 innings and striking out 60. The White Sox signed him a five-year $16 million contract.[7]
In 2020, Bummer only appeared in only nine games due to a left biceps strain that kept him out for a majority of the season. He was able to return for the final week of the season and was added to the White Sox' 2020 postseason roster. He appeared in two games in the2020 American League Wild Card Series, not allowing a run in1+1⁄3 innings combined during Chicago's 2–1 series loss to the Oakland Athletics.[8]
In 2021, Bummer appeared in 62 games with an ERA of 3.51 in 56.1 innings while striking out 75 batters as the White Sox made the postseason. Bummer appeared in three games in the2021 American League Division Series against theHouston Astros posting a 8.10 ERA in3+1⁄3 giving up 5 hits and 3 runs all earned as the White Sox lost in four games. In 2022, Bummer appeared in only 32 games after dealing with a knee injury that kept him out for three months from June to September. He posted an ERA of 2.36 in those 32 games while pitching in26+2⁄3 innings and striking out 30 batters.
On November 16, 2023, the White Sox traded Bummer to theAtlanta Braves in exchange forMichael Soroka,Jared Shuster,Nicky Lopez,Braden Shewmake andRiley Gowens.[9][10] In November 2024, Bummer and the Braves agreed to a restructured contract, guaranteeing Bummer $3.5 million for the 2025 season and $9.5 million in 2026.[11][12]
Throughout his entire pro career until 2025, Bummer served as arelief pitcher. On July 5, 2025, after 374 games and 9 seasons as a reliever, he made his first start in a game against theBaltimore Orioles. Bummer set a new personal record by striking out the first five batters he faced, before eventually giving up three earned runs and exiting in the third inning.[13] In 42 appearances (two starts) for Atlanta on the year, he compiled a 3-2 record and 3.81 ERA with 51 strikeouts across54+1⁄3 innings pitched. On August 24, Bummer was placed on the injured list due to left shoulder inflammation.[14] He was transferred to the 60-day injured list on September 18, officially ending his season.[15]
Bummer earned his bachelor's degree in finance from Nebraska in December 2016. Bummer and his wife, Amber, married in 2018.[16] They had their first child, a daughter, in February 2021.[17]
