After graduating from Clay High School in Green Cove Springs, Florida, Dunning attended the University of Florida, where he played college baseball for the Florida Gators.[1][2] Dunning appeared in 17 games as a freshman, finishing the year with a 4.50 ERA. His sophomore year, Dunning began starting more games, as opposed to the reliever role he had his freshman year, finishing the year with a 4.03 ERA in 16 appearances, 14 of which were starts. As a junior, Dunning returned to the bullpen, the role he predominantly had his freshman year. Dunning appeared in 33 games, only five of which were starts, and had a 2.29 ERA. In the 2016 NCAA Division I baseball tournament, Dunning pitched 15.1 innings, giving up only one run.[3]
On December 7, 2016, the Nationals traded Dunning, Reynaldo López, and Lucas Giolito to the Chicago White Sox for Adam Eaton.[5] For the 2017 season, the White Sox assigned Dunning to the Kannapolis Intimidators, and after he posted a 0.35 ERA in 26 innings, promoted him to the Winston-Salem Dash, where he spent the rest of the season, posting a 6–8 record and 3.51 ERA in 22 games started.[6] Dunning spent 2018 with both Winston-Salem and the Birmingham Barons, pitching to a combined 6–3 record and 2.71 ERA in 15 starts between both teams.[7]
Dunning underwent Tommy John surgery on March 18, 2019, after suffering a torn ulnar collateral ligament. His surgery was performed by James Andrews.[8] Dunning missed the entire 2019 season.[8] Dunning was added to the White Sox 40–man roster following the 2019 season.[9]
Dunning was called up to the active roster and made his MLB debut on August 19, 2020, striking out seven batters with just one walk in 41⁄3 innings in a 5–3 victory over the Detroit Tigers.[10][11][12] With the 2020 Chicago White Sox, Dunning appeared in seven games, compiling a 2–0 record with 3.97 ERA and 35 strikeouts in 34 innings.[13]
Texas Rangers
On December 7, 2020, Chicago traded Dunning and Avery Weems to the Texas Rangers in exchange for Lance Lynn.[14] On June 1, 2021, Dunning recorded his first major league hit, a single off of Colorado Rockies starter Germán Márquez. Dunning finished the 2021 season after posting a 5–10 record with a 4.51 ERA and 114 strikeouts over 117+2⁄3 innings.[15]
Dunning went 4–8 with a 4.46 ERA and 137 strikeouts over 153+1⁄3 innings for Texas in 2022. He underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right hip at the end of that September, causing him to miss the end of the season.[16]
Personal life
Dunning is half-Korean, born to a Korean mother, Misu, and an American father, John. He has expressed desire to play for the South Korea national baseball team in the World Baseball Classic.[17] His older brother, Jake, has also pitched in MLB.[18] Dunning married Rachel Castelli in November 2021, and they welcomed a son on May 25, 2023.[19]
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