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When the Baltimore Orioles selected pitcher, Dylan Bundy, with the fourth overall pick in the 2011 MLB Draft, the team was banking on him developing into a top-of-the-rotation starter. Instead, Bundy has only thrown 1.2 innings in his major league career, and on Monday, it was announced that he would be shut down for the remainder due to problems in his right shoulder, the same shoulder that he had Tommy John surgery on in 2013.
Bundy made eight starts this season for Double-A Bowie, but he was only able to pitch a total of 22 innings, and was shut down after his most recent start of four innings, which was his longest outing of the season. Although his stats were decent, a 3.68 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and 25-to-5 strikeout-to-walk ratio, he wasn’t quite the same dominant pitcher as the Orioles have seen in the past. Bundy allowed 21 hits in those 22 innings, which led to a .253 batting average against, the highest mark of his career.
Now, we all have to wonder if this is the end for Bundy. It’s possible that he can rehab the shoulder, as he’s stated he is not getting surgery, but it’s also a realistic possibility that Bundy will never be able to overcome the shoulder injuries. Although Tommy John surgery has an 80 percent success rate these days, it’s not a guarantee, and Bundy could be one of the latest victims of the injury.
Even if Bundy is able to return, it’s likely it will be as a reliever, as it seems starting is putting too much stress on the shoulder. With his big fastball, Bundy could turn into an elite closer for the Orioles. For the sake of MLB and Bundy, I hope he returns in 2016 healthier than ever, but the Orioles and Bundy need to be prepared for the worst.
Jason Fletcher is a MLB Featured Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @JasonFletcher25, “Like” him on Facebook, or add him to your network on Google+.
