Royals Sign Veteran Lefty Aaron Bummer to Minor League Deal

The Kansas City Royals have added veteran left-handed pitcher Aaron Bummer to their roster, signing him to a minor league contract and assigning him to Triple-A Omaha. Bummer, who boasts a career total of 406 MLB appearances with the Chicago White Sox and Atlanta Braves, carries a lifetime ERA of 3.94. His recent stint with the Braves saw him struggle, leading to his release earlier this year after he recorded a 7.36 ERA over 19 games.

Drafted by the White Sox out of the University of Nebraska in 2014, Bummer made his MLB debut in 2017. He enjoyed his best season in 2019, when he posted an impressive 2.13 ERA across 58 appearances. After signing a five-year contract in 2020, Bummer faced challenges during the 2023 season, resulting in a trade to the Braves as part of a six-player deal that included Nicky Lopez. He found some success in Atlanta, concluding 2024-25 with a 3.69 ERA in 98 games.

This year, Bummer struggled with his control, walking 10 batters in just 15.1 innings, which ultimately led to his release in May. He briefly joined the Chicago Cubs in June, but his time there lasted only six weeks before he was let go. Known for his sinker and breaking ball combination, Bummer typically achieves groundball rates around 60 percent, making him a valuable asset when on form.

The Royals have been proactive in bolstering their pitching depth, particularly after facing a spate of injuries. In recent weeks, they have acquired several veteran arms, including Scott Alexander, Scott Barlow, Jose Cuas, Randy Dobnak, Matt Moore, Connor Seabold, Justin Topa, and Vince Velasquez, aiming to shore up their bullpen.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.