Unfortunately named pitcher leaves Cubs contract to join new team

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Aaron Bummer does not have the ideal name for a pitcher.

He's also no longer a member of the Chicago Cubs' organization.

The New York Post's Jon Heyman reported Friday that Bummer has opted out of his minor league contract and is now a free agent.

Bummer likely had a clause in his contract as a veteran that allowed him to pursue a new opportunity if he hadn't been called up to the major leagues by a certain date.

The lefty relief pitcher first went to rookie ball for a couple outings with the Cubs after signing, throwing 2.0 scoreless innings.

He then moved up to Triple-A Iowa, where he gave up four runs in 4.0 innings.

Bummer had previously pitched 19 games in the majors this season for the Atlanta Braves, but he had just a 7.63 ERA there.

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Despite that, Bummer's career MLB ERA is 3.94. He has also struck out 10.0 batters per nine innings in his career.

The 32-year old southpaw has made the most of being a 19th-round pick of the Chicago White Sox in the 2014 MLB Draft, but he now has some work to do to try to prolong his professional pitching career.

In general, teams can never have enough left-handed pitchers, and so Bummer should keep getting opportunities.

It's not clear at his time of leaving the Cubs whether he has something lined up pretty quickly or if it'll take a little time. But in the interests of keeping his arm ready to rock, Bummer would surely like to sign with a new team sooner rather than later.

The Cubs' pitching has been so depleted by injuries this season, but even in that context, Bummer couldn't quite find a way to break through.