GLENDALE, Ariz. — White Sox pitching prospect Dane Dunning had Tommy John surgery Monday in Pensacola, Florida, the team announced. Dunning, a 24-year-old right-hander who entered the season as the Sox’ sixth-ranked prospect (80th overall) by MLB Pipeline, had the procedure to repair the torn ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow performed by Dr. James Andrews.
The news came as no surprise after general manager Rick Hahn indicated last week that surgery was a possibility for Dunning, who felt discomfort in his right forearm in late February while working his way back from a moderate elbow sprain suffered last June.
In October, Dunning pitched through a bullpen session without incident and was expected to resume normal pitching activity without restriction.
Obtained along with Reynaldo Lopez and Lucas Giolito from the Nationals in the trade for Adam Eaton, Dunning appeared to be on track to join the starting rotation at some point this season after he posted a 2.76 ERA in 11 starts at Class AA Birmingham and a 2.59 ERA at Class A Winston-Salem last season.
It’s the latest in a series of major injury setbacks for Sox prospects. The most recent was right-hander Michael Kopech, the Sox’ top pitching prospect who had Tommy John surgery in September after he made his major-league debut. Kopech is out for the season. Normal recovery time is 14 to 16 months.
Dane Dunning’s Instagram
Fulmer among roster cuts
The Sox made four roster cuts, including optioning right-hander Carson Fulmer to Class AAA Charlotte. The Sox also optioned left-hander Aaron Bummer to Charlotte and reassigned outfielder Charlie Tilson and left-hander Colton Turner to minor-league camp.
Fulmer, who came to spring training much lighter, made six appearances in Cactus League games, striking out 12 but allowing five walks and 10 hits in nine innings (9.00 ERA). He is expected to work out of the bullpen at Charlotte.
Bummer, who posted a 4.26 ERA in 37 appearances with the Sox last season, had an ERA of 12.00 this spring.
Jones: Outings ‘unacceptable’
Nate Jones is having a rough spring, and the 33-year-old reliever’s outings have gone from bad to worse.
“The last two outings are unacceptable,” Jones said Monday, one day after the Diamondbacks tagged him for two runs with two walks and two hits, including a home run by prospect Marcus Wilson, in one-third of an inning. “And it’s getting later in the spring.’’
On Friday, Jones (15.43 ERA) faced four Cubs and did not record an out, allowing three runs, two on a home run by Wynton Bernard. Jones has allowed 11 hits, including four homers, in 4⅔ innings. He has walked four.
“It’s definitely location,’’ Jones said. “Missing up with my pitches and not getting ahead.”
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Jon Jay (sore hip), who hasn’t played in a game since Wednesday, had four at-bats in a minor-league game, Renteria said.
† Nicky Delmonico played (as the designated hitter) for the first time since suffering a concussion 11 days ago, going 0-for-3 with a strikeout.
