Dane Dunning critiqued and refined his stuff during rehab and now waits for THE call

After undergoing Tommy John surgery in March of 2019, Dane Dunning is on the verge of getting the call to the majors.

“I’m feeling really good right now,” Dunning told FutureSox in a phone interview. “They have me out in Schaumburg working out and getting in game-like situations. My arm feels healthy. I feel ready to compete and contribute.

“We’re playing live simulated games. We don’t have that many hitters, so we can’t have a full defense behind us. We’re pitching to hitters, and they’re still running bases like they would in a game. Pitching in games like that, you have an idea of what is happening, which is nice.”

With the pitching staff riddled with injuries and few breaks in the schedule, White Sox fans are chomping at the bit to see Dunning get his shot at the big leagues. Dunning is willing to do his part to make the drive down from the suburbs to Guaranteed Rate Field.

White Sox general manager Rick Hahn recently said Dunning’s call-up isn’t imminent, but made it sound like it could come in 2020.

Coming out of the bullpen

“I’m willing to do anything to help the team out,” Dunning said. “In college, I went from starting my freshman and sophomore year to coming out of the bullpen my junior year. I’m willing to make that sacrifice if it’ll help the team.

“Coming out of the bullpen is a little different the mental side of it. As a starter, it’s easier to transition to the bullpen. As a starter, you’re built to go longer. It might be harder to go back-to-back days, but that can get worked in. I’ll be capable of doing that.”

Right now, the White Sox most significant need is in the starting rotation. Based on Hahn’s recent comments, it appears that the White Sox are committed to using Dunning in that role.

“Dane Dunning is continuing to build up his endurance and essentially is a guy who is coming back as a starter post-TJ without the ability to go on rehab assignments,” Hahn said. “We have a very strict program for what he is following, and it doesn’t quite include his major league debut, but at some point, we’re going to be able to add him in.”

The rehab process

Whenever that time is Dunning will be ready. He has spent the last 16 months of rehab preparing himself for that role.

“Post Tommy John, the whole build-up before throwing was getting my body into the best shape possible. During the rehab, you realize what you’re weak on,” Dunning said. “Now, I know the exercises that I should be doing, so it makes it more beneficial for me in the long run. I’ve been on a strict throwing program the entire time. Now, I’m finally back throwing in games, and it’s been a good feeling.

“My first live throwing was in spring training. I was supposed to be in my first game-like scenario the day MLB got shut down. It would have been an actual gate game. Prior to that, I was throwing live bullpens and live BPs.”

Refining his game

Dunning spent the lengthy rehab working on more than just getting his body back into shape. He took advantage of the extended downtime to refine his pitches and approach.

“This whole rehab has let me develop and critique my pitches,” Dunning said. “I used to be just a sinkerball pitcher, but now I’m working on getting a nice four-seam to get some nice backspin and ride and carry to my ball. It’s been working out so far. To get that ride on a four-seam and sink a fastball at the same time. I feel like that’ll be a really good attribute for me. That’s one thing I’ve been focusing on this whole rehab process.

“I’m also throwing a changeup, slider and curveball. It’ll be nice because the slider will play off my two-seam, and my curveball will play off my four-seam. I’m not throwing my breaking ball as hard as I used to. Before surgery, I was throwing it at 80-82, now I’m at 78-80. I’m getting a lot of spin and depth on it, which is nice. I feel confident with all my pitches, and I’m able to throw them in any count, any situation.”

Help from above

Dunning has also received some help from big league veterans.

“James Shields got me to go to a spiked curveball, he threw his curveball a little differently than me, and I wanted to try his out,” Dunning said. “When I tried his, it was a lot more effective and sharp. But I wasn’t throwing it consistently until I went to a spike.”

“Yasmani [Grandal] switched up the grip on my changeup. Now it’s a lot more effective. The numbers on it show that it’s getting better. Coaches like Everett Teaford, who has been helping me get carry and ride on my four-seam. Now everything is getting put together, and I feel really good about it.”

Summer Camp

Dunning got some intrasquad action against the White Sox in Summer Camp. He also pitched in an exhibition against the Milwaukee Brewers.

“Facing our lineup is ridiculously hard,” Dunning said. “They are extremely talented, one after another. It was a confidence booster for me to pitch against them and do decently well. Pitching up there is a lot of fun. It’s work for me, but it’s fun. I’m hoping to get a chance to enjoy it again.

“Everyone was a battle to get out. Luis Robert was fouling off pitches non-stop. Eloy [Jimenez] wouldn’t bite on my slider. He saw pitches well. Yasmani, I walked twice. He fouled off seven pitches on each at-bat.”

Making adjustments

“It’s mainly where I’m starting pitches, especially going through the order once or twice,” Dunning said. “They see things early on. I need to command the zone, and I should be good. I’m working on my sequencing changing eye-levels with baseballs. Good sequencing can go a long way.”

Getting the call

At this rate, Dunning may not have to wait much longer to get called up to the White Sox. But not quite as soon as White Sox fans wanted.

“I’m just trying to stay healthy and as ready as possible,” Dunning said. “I’m keeping my head down, and working hard and hopefully, one day, my time will come.”

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