As Humber performed better in the first half of the 2011 season (8–5, 3.10 ERA) than in the second half (1–4, 5.01 ERA), which he attributed to general fatigue, Humber decided to add during his offseason workouts. Humber signed a one-year contract in March for $530,000, above the minimum salary for a player with his level of MLB experience. In the first season in which he did not have to battle for a roster spot in spring training, he made his final spring training start in his home state near Rice at Minute Maid Park in front of many relatives. Although the 2012 Chicago White Sox's rotation was said to be made up of five number-three starters, Humber began the season as the number five starter.