Baltimore Orioles right-hander Dylan Bundy targeting late June return
By Aaron Somers
Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Typical recovery from Tommy John Surgery entails at least a full year of recovery and rehabilitation. It seems as though Baltimore Orioles right-hander Dylan Bundy is targeting his return to “competitive game action” right around that time frame, with a focus on being on the mound one day after the year anniversary of his surgery according to Igor Mello of CBS Sports.
Bundy underwent the procedure on June 27th of last year.
Bundy’s elbow concerns first began last Spring. What was deemed as a simple elbow strain, Bundy was shut down before the team broke camp and he’d remain on the shelf for the foreseeable future. By late June he’d suffered a setback in his recovery, prompting additional testing and the ultimate decision to undergo TJ surgery. Bundy would miss the entire 2013 season.
Baltimore’s 1st Round pick in the 2011 Draft (#4 overall), Bundy rose quickly through the team’s minor league system in 2012, making stops at three levels. In 23 combined starts on the year he’d post a 9-3 record, 2.08 ERA, and 0.916 WHIP across 103.2 IP. With 10.3 K/9 and 2.4 BB/9, he’d given every indication that he might be MLB ready and the team made a surprising move to call him up that September. Bundy would throw just 1.2 IP out of the bullpen before the season came to a close, allowing just a pair of base runners.
It’s tough to say just how much Baltimore is counting on from Bundy this season. Even if he’s back on a mound on June 28th there’s no telling how quickly he’ll work his way back into the team’s rotation. Best case scenario he could essentially be a mid-season pickup if the team’s able to get him back around the July trade deadline. Baltimore will proceed cautiously with Bundy, their top prospect and the likely best chance they have at an internally developed ace.