Dylan Bundy Set to Start on Sunday

Jun 9, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Dylan Bundy (37) delivers a pitch against Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /

As many people expected to happen eventually, Dylan Bundy will make his first major league start for the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Rays.

The 23-year-old fourth overall pick, who is still considered a rookie, will take the mound amid a lot of fanfare.

Bundy was supposed to be the next big pitcher when he was drafted by the Orioles. Arm issues slowed the hype and his rapid ascent to the majors.

But in 2016 the Orioles had no choice but to put him in the majors. And Bundy has been very effective.

Dylan has pitched to a 3.08 ERA in 38 innings in 22 games, allowing only three home runs and walking 12. Bundy has struck out 32.

While the WHIP of 1.526 is a bit high, Bundy has worked through numerous situations.

The team has put Bundy on a schedule where when he makes a relief appearance, he usually has several days off after, much like a starter would.

At the beginning of the season, the word was that Bundy would likely be on a limit of 75 innings. He is right at halfway there.

Let’s say the O’s stretch out that limit and move him to 85 innings. That is another 47 innings on Bundy’s arm. Note- his total the last three years is around 65 innings.

If he goes four innings in each start, that is 12 starts. That would leave Bundy unavailable for the playoffs, if the Orioles were to make them. If Bundy goes five innings, he is down to nine outings.

For those who think Bundy is going to be on a regular starter schedule, I don’t believe that line of thinking is correct. Bundy is a future top of the rotation starter. And yes, the Orioles also need him now. But, I think he is more of a stop-gap until the team finds other options. Remember, there are still only four starters in the rotation, as the team has yet to name a fifth starter.

Also, I mentioned yesterday that Bundy should be a tandem starter with someone else, which Dan Duquette alluded to today. In order to know who that starter may be, let’s look at the O’s pitchers right now.

Starters – Chris Tillman, Kevin Gausman, Yovani Gallardo, Dylan Bundy

Bullpen – Zach Britton, Brad Brach, Mychal Givens, Chaz Roe, Donnie Hart, Odrisamer Despaigne, Ubaldo Jimenez, Vance Worley

Britton is the closer, Brach the set-up man. Givens handles the 7th inning, with Roe and Hart as short relievers. I think Worley will temporarily be the 5th starter. That means Despaigne should be the tandem starter, and Ubaldo only comes in if the O’s are up by more than four runs, or down by more than four runs. Of course, this handicaps a bullpen that already is stretched, especially if Despaigne is used in a tandem role.

The best move for Ubaldo would be to get rid of him.