Bundy has minimal concerns over lower velocity (O's down 8-1)

Though the Orioles haven't confirmed their rotation for the two-game series against the Nationals at Camden Yards, Dylan Bundy is expected to stay in turn and pitch in Monday's opener. Manager Buck Showalter didn't hint at any adjustments.

Bundy held the Giants to one run over 5 1/3 innings on Aug. 12 and allowed five runs and nine hits in 4 1/3 innings against the Red Sox on Wednesday after taking Chris Tillman's turn. Tillman was pushed back to tonight because of discomfort in his right shoulder.

Bundy's velocity was down in his last two outings, his fastball mostly in the low 90s. He wasn't hitting 96-97 mph, which drew notice from fans and the media.

Told today about the readings being lower than usual, Bundy replied, "Has it?" His low-key demeanor held to form.

As for speculation that Bundy is tired with his innings total at 75, he offered confirmation and a smile.

"I mean, yeah, it's August," he said. "Everybody knows that. It's a long season. You know that just as much as anybody should. But no, I haven't really thought about it too hard.

"I've always said that if I can locate 93-94, I'd be happier than locating 97. I've just got to work on the locating part in August. I don't know. It's not too much of a concern for me.

"My arm feels great, my body feels fine, so I'm not too worried about it."

Showalter has indicated that Bundy can remain in the rotation for the rest of the season, with no need to shut him down later. The Orioles will take it start by start to make sure there are no health risks for a pitcher limited to 22 innings last summer at Double-A Bowie and shut down again in the Arizona Fall League.

"As long as my body's feeling good and my arm's feeling good, I don't see why not," Bundy said. "So far, it's both of those."

So to recap: Bundy wasn't really aware that his fastball velocity had dipped, he's experiencing the normal level of fatigue for late August, his arm and body feel good and he expects to stay in the rotation.

He's also matured as a pitcher to the point where he understands the importance of location over radar gun readings.

"I've been pulling off balls a little bit," he said. "Fastballs glove-side I've been pulling off some. And I'm kind of getting into hitter's counts instead of pitcher's counts, which my first couple starts I was able to get into good pitching counts, which is 0-2, 1-2, 2-2, stuff like that. And I haven't been able to do that very well recently.

"It's a long season. I'm getting used to the starting role now and getting more comfortable."

Meanwhile, Double-A Bowie announced the signing of veteran outfielder Chris Dickerson, 34, to a minor league deal. Dickerson singled and scored in the first inning.

Dickerson, who's starting in center field, has been sidelined this season after undergoing labrum surgery in 2015. He batted .238 in 56 games with the Orioles in 2013, his highlight a three-run walk-off home run against the Tigers' Jose Valverde on May 31.

Update: Chris Tillman has allowed four runs and thrown 49 pitches in two innings. He's already faced 13 batters, with the Astros collecting six hits.

Update II: Tillman lasted two-plus innings and was charged with six runs and six hits. He walked five, struck out none, gave up a home run and hit a batter. He was gone after 67 pitches, 33 for strikes.

The last run scored on Tony Kemp's double play grounder off Odrisamer Despaigne, who inherited a bases-loaded, no-out mess.

Tillman couldn't locate and his velocity was down. Both bad signs for a guy who complained earlier of a sore shoulder.

Update III: Chris Davis hit his fifth home run in four games, a solo shot to left-center field in the fourth inning to reduce the lead to 6-1. He homered in five straight games earlier this season.

Update IV: Springer hit a two-run homer off Despaigne with two outs in the fifth to increase the lead to 8-1.