A new arm is joining the organization.
The White Sox announced on Friday that right-handed pitcher Justin Dunn has agreed to a minor-league deal. He will also receive a non-roster invite to Spring Training.
Dunn, 29, was selected 19th overall by the Mets in the 2016 MLB Draft. His time in New York’s organization was short-lived, as he was one of the headliners in the December 2018 trade centered around Seattle’s Robinson Cano and Edwin Diaz. Following the five-player deal, Dunn made 25 starts over three seasons with the Mariners, posting a 3.94 ERA and 92 strikeouts in 102.2 innings pitched.
The former Boston College product was traded again in March 2022, this time in a deal centered around Cincinnati’s Eugenio Suarez and Jesse Winker. Dunn was dealing with shoulder problems at the time, resulting in a disappointing 2022 season. He went on to own a 6.10 ERA in 31 innings for the Reds and hasn’t appeared in the majors since. A rotator cuff injury caused Dunn to miss most of the 2023 season after appearing in just three games across two minor-league levels. He underwent shoulder surgery in September of that year and spent all of 2024 rehabbing from the procedure.
A few weeks ago, Dunn held a showcase for scouts to show off his repertoire and return to full health. The former starter will now join the White Sox as a typical no-risk flier entering camp in Arizona. It remains to be seen if Dunn will attempt to fight for a rotation job, or if he transitions to a relief role given his injury history. Either way, he could be an interesting reclamation project to follow heading into the 2025 season.
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