Cubs sign discarded Braves pitching bust to help out ailing bullpen

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Jordan Campbell

May 18, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA; Atlanta Braves pitcher Aaron Bummer (49) delivers a pitch against the Miami Marlins during the fifth inning at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images / Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Weeks after signing Liam Hendriks to a minor-league deal, the Chicago Cubs are turning to another former Chicago White Sox pitcher to potentially help a bullpen that has been decimated by injuries. The Cubs have signed veteran relief pitcher Aaron Bummer to a minor-league deal after he was released by the Atlanta Braves last week.

Bummer spent the first seven seasons of his career with the White Sox, emerging as a bullpen staple during his final few years in Chicago. Bummer posted an ERA of 6.79 in 61 appearances with the White Sox in 2023 before being traded to the Atlanta Braves at the start of the offseason. Ironically, the deal also included former Cubs Nicky Lopez and Michael Soroka.

Not the Aaron Bummer Cubs fans remember

Unfortunately, the success that Bummer had with the White Sox didn't follow him to the Braves. He posted respectable ERAs of 3.58 and 3.81 during his first two seasons in Atlanta, but things unraveled this season. In 19 appearances before his release, Bummer posted an ERA of 7.63 while striking out 16.9% of the hitters he's faced, and walking 13%. Needless to say, it was obvious why the Braves gave up on Bummer as an option for their bullpen.

As the Cubs have found out through the first two months of the 2026 season, pitching depth can quickly erode. Name a reliever in the Cubs' bullpen and they probably have spent time on the IL this season. And some of those relievers, Phil Maton, are a shell of their former selves when healthy.

That would be the reason why Jed Hoyer is simply taking on pitching depth no matter how he finds it. Bummer isn't the high-leverage option he once was for the White Sox, but at this point, he checks the box of being a heatlhy arm the Cubs can call upon if needed.

Given the recent command issues, the plan for Bummer likely involves an initial run with the Iowa Cubs. With help of their pitching infrastructure, the Cubs likely have an early idea of what needs to be tweaked in order to get the 32-year-old veteran back on track. If it works, it'll be a success story. If not, the wheel will continue to churn for the Cubs and their search for pitching.

Jordan Campbell

For nearly 15 years, Jordan has been a workhorse across the FanSided network - including being the inaugural site expert for Cubbies Crib, as well as a stop at Da Windy City as the site expert. In addition to returning to be a Co-Site Expert at Cubbies Crib, Jordan was previously the Site Expert at Bear Goggles On. In the years since, Jordan has joined FanSided's full-time team, serving as a staff writer for the MLB division. Jordan's work can be seen across the MLB division, including a consistent presence on our Cubs, Twins, Astros, and Tigers sites. Since 2010, Jordan has dedicated his craft to providing insightful commentary on all things Chicago sports, and he has enjoyed his venture into all things Major League Baseball.