Philip Humber has struggled mightily since throwing a perfect game on April 21, posting a 7.21 ERA in 14 starts while spending some time on the disabled list, and the White Sox have decided to demote him to the bullpen while ditching their brief six-man rotation.
Humber took the demotion in stride, mostly because he refused to call it a demotion:
I don’t think that going to the bullpen is a demotion. That’s disrespectful to the guys who are in the bullpen to say, “I’m good enough to start.” Well, I’m hoping I’m good enough to be in the bullpen. That’s the attitude I take as far as whatever role I’m given, whenever they give me the ball, I’m going to do the best I can with it.
Humber went from prospect bust to solid mid-rotation starter for the White Sox last season and obviously this year’s perfect game led to optimism about his long-term value, but right now he’s 29 years old with a 4.70 ERA in 302 career innings.
