Bummer opts out of deal with Cubs

Bummer was released last week by Atlanta after forging an ugly 7.63 ERA over 15 1/3 innings. The southpaw will likely head to Triple-A Iowa, but if he pitches well there, he has a good chance of joining the Chicago bullpen this summer.

Bummer was making $9.5 million this season under the terms of a backloaded deal, so the Braves will eat about $6 million by cutting him. The left-hander dealt with a shoulder injury last year and then posted a 7.63 ERA over 15 1/3 innings this season. His velocity is down about three mph from where he was in 2024, prior to the shoulder injury. Someone may give him a minor-league offer in hopes of getting his velocity back up.

Nothing has changed in the prognosis for the 31-year-old southpaw — who will miss the reset of the season with inflammation in his pitching shoulder — this was done as a procedural move to free up a spot on the team’s 40-man roster for the addition of Brett Wisely on Thursday.

No word yet on how much time Bummer figures to miss, but shoulder ailments typically lead to extended absences, which puts his season in jeopardy. The 31-year-old southpaw has posted a strong 3.81 ERA across 54 1/3 innings (42 appearances, two starts) during his second season in Atlanta.

Bummer drew the start for the Braves on Saturday in a bullpen game and tossed two scoreless inning with five strikeouts before the Orioles got to him in the third. Tyler O’Neill took him deep for a solo homer, followed by a two-run shot by Jordan Westburg that would end the day for Bummer. Dylan Dodd came in to relieve him and gave up two runs over 2 2/3.

Snitker declined to name a specific stopper, but added that Iglesias isn’t going to be the primary option anymore. The 35-year-old veteran played a prominent role during a Chernobyl-sized meltdown against the Diamondbacks on Thursday when Atlanta coughed up a six-run lead in the final frame. He’s struggled to a calamitous 6.75 ERA across 24 innings (25 appearances) this season, while converting just eight of 12 save opportunities. It’ll likely be some combination of Iglesias, Dylan Lee, Pierce Johnson, Aaron Bummer and Enyel De Los Santos in the mix for save chances. It’s a situation fantasy managers should try to avoid at all costs.

Petersen was called up on Sunday to fill a bullpen spot with Aaron Bummer on the bereavement list. He threw two scoreless innings against the Rays but will now head back to Triple-A with Bummer returning to Atlanta. Petersen should get another shot in Atlanta this year.

Bummer missed this weekend’s series against the Rays and will now return to his regular role in the Braves bullpen. He has a 5.40 ERA through five appearances so far this season. RHP Michael Petersen was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett following yesterday’s game to clear room on the active roster.

Bummer will be absent for this weekend’s series against the Rays. The left-hander has a 5.40 ERA in five appearances out of the Braves bullpen this season.

It was reported last month that the Braves would exercise their $7.25 million option on Bummer, but he’s instead getting a new deal that pays him $3.5 million next season and $9.5 million in 2026. Bummer had a 3.58 ERA over 55 1/3 innings in his first season with the Braves.