White Sox recall Reynaldo Lopez from Charlotte, reinstate Aaron Bummer from IL

The White Sox recalled right-hander Reynaldo Lopez from Triple-A Charlotte and reinstated left-hander Aaron Bummer from the injured list Friday.

Left-hander Jace Fry and right-hander Matt Foster were optioned to Charlotte.

Lopez, 27, has been something of a forgotten man after he competed for a spot in the rotation during spring training following some up-and-down seasons as a starter. He will be used primarily as a long reliever. Lopez has not been effective as a starter at Charlotte, posting a hefty 7.62 ERA to go with a 1-6 record in 10 starts and 39 innings, but was better in his last start, allowing one run and three hits with eight strikeouts in six innings July 9 at Jacksonville.

He had ERAs of 5.39 and 6.49 the last two seasons after a career-best 3.91 in 2018. In five major-league seasons, Lopez has a 26-34 record and 4.77 ERA.

“He earned his spot,” manager Tony La Russa said. “His velocity is up, making a lot of good pitches.”

The Sox will need an extra starter for a doubleheader Monday against the Twins.

“Is he a possibility [to start one game]? Yeah, everybody’s a possibility,” La Russa said. “We’ll see how the three games [this weekend] go.”

Lopez was effective as a reliever with the Nationals, even appearing in the postseason, before the Sox traded for him.

Bummer (4.35 ERA), who had been on the injured list since June 29 with a strained right hamstring, allowed four runs in two-thirds of an inning Friday. Lopez entered in mop-up duty in the eighth with the Sox trailing the Astros 7-1.

Rodon rested

With a nudge from the Sox and for the sake of monitoring workload in his first healthy season in some time, left-hander Carlos Rodon opted to rest and not pitch in the All-Star Game.

“The first time in years he’s been able to take the ball regularly,” La Russa said.

“He understood. Got to go there and be introduced and be an All Star. And now he knows how important it is to try to get to October.”

La Russa also said Dylan Cease, who entered Friday’s start with 92 innings pitched, would “be watched carefully.”

Cease pitched a career-high 141 innings between the Sox and Charlotte in 2019 and 58⅓ in 2020.

No AB in All-Star Game OK with Tim

Tim Anderson shook off not having an opportunity to bat in the All-Star Game.

“No, that didn’t bother me,” he said. “That’s not going to be my last one, I hope. Hopefully, I’ll be able to start one soon; that will give me a little motivation. Being there definitely makes you want to get back.”

A highlight, Anderson said, was meeting and conversing with Ken Griffey Jr.

“Just to be face-to-face and get a handshake and words of encouragement,” Anderson said.

Burger welcomed home

Jake Burger suited up in a home uniform for the first time, and it felt good to be “home,” he said.

“A lot of people have supported me over the last couple of years, and just seeing them continuing to support me has been awesome,” Burger said. “I love the fan base here; they have been so into it. It’s great to have a fan base like that behind you.”

Lamb on rehab

Infielder/outfielder Jake Lamb is at Charlotte for a rehab assignment. Lamb has been on the injured list since June 29 with a strained right quadriceps.