The White Sox have signed right-handed pitcher to a minor league contract, with an invitation to spring training as a non-roster player, according to the team. Represented by CAA, the 29-year-old was originally a first-round draft pick by the Mets in 2016 and was one of their top prospects before being traded to Seattle with Jarred Kelenic in the Robinson Cano/Edwin Diaz deal. While with the Mariners, He showed some promise over parts of three seasons, though he struggled with recurring shoulder injuries.
He was later traded to the Reds as part of a deal that brought Eugenio Suarez and Jesse Winker to Seattle, alongside Brandon Williamson and Jake Fraley.
During his time with Cincinnati, He managed only 65 2/3 combined innings between the minors and the majors due to shoulder issues. His shoulder problems continued after the trade, and his debut with the Reds was delayed, with the team announcing he would miss “months” due to a shoulder injury.
In his first season with Cincinnati, he pitched 31 innings in both the majors and minors, posting a 6.10 ERA in each setting. His 2023 season was also disrupted by shoulder issues, ultimately leading to surgery on his right shoulder late that year, which has kept him sidelined since.
Recently, Dunn held a showcase for MLB teams. Although a guaranteed roster spot was unlikely after his lengthy layoff, he joins a White Sox team that may offer him opportunities in the coming season. Across his career, Dunn has a 4.44 ERA with a 19.3% strikeout rate and a 14.7% walk rate over 133 2/3 innings. When healthy, he’s averaged 93.7 mph on his fastball, along with an 84 mph slider and an 80 mph curveball.
Having spent considerable time on the MLB injured list, Dunn has accrued four years of service time. Should he make the White Sox roster at any point, he could reach five years with an additional 152 days in the majors. Dunn also has full minor league options remaining and up to two years of team control.
If he is called up midseason with less than 152 days remaining, he would retain three years of control. For now, though, Dunn’s focus will be on proving he has overcome his shoulder issues and improving his command. Although he was once a highly regarded prospect, it has been nearly a decade since he was a first-round pick and about five years since he was a top prospect.
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