Bundy "really excited" to start Sunday (plus other notes)

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles are nearing a decision on reliever Darren O'Day, who threw a bullpen session during Thursday's workout and performed fielding drills this afternoon.

O'Day will throw off a mound again Saturday and could be cleared to pitch in simulated games. The Orioles would decide whether to include an injury rehab assignment or activate him from the disabled list.

Hyun Soo Kim ran yesterday and still felt some discomfort in his right hamstring. The Orioles could decide Sunday or Monday to place him on the disabled list if there isn't sufficient improvement.

Closer Zach Britton and catcher Matt Wieters became ill with food poisoning while in San Diego for the All-Star Game. They're better today, but manager Buck Showalter had to check on them during a busy workout and gauge whether they might have been unavailable.

Showalter didn't name a starter for Tuesday night in New York, but he mentioned how Mike Wright pitched last night for Triple-A Norfolk and Tyler Wilson will be on a strict pitch limit tonight to keep him available.

Showalter didn't mention Ubaldo Jimenez, who's in the bullpen.

Wright allowed four earned runs and nine hits in five innings last night in Rochester. He walked none and struck out four.

I wrote earlier today that Double-A Bowie left-hander Chris Lee wasn't throwing due to a strained lat. Showalter confirmed it and added that Lee had to be shut down again after experiencing more discomfort.

Showalter didn't reveal a pitch or innings limit for Dylan Bundy, who makes his first major league start in Sunday's series finale. He always says the opposition will have a say in it.

Bundy found out during yesterday's workout that he would take the mound on Sunday.

"Buck told me when we were stretching. I was excited and I can't wait," he said.

Bundy hasn't been informed of a pitch count or innings limit, but he's aware that they exist.

"I'm sure there is, but I don't know anything about it, which is all I care to know about it. I'm just going to go out there to compete and give the team as many innings as I can," he said.

"Just depends on pitches, I think. I haven't been up more than three or four times, I've been going two or three. I've been up three, maybe four times. Four or five innings, maybe six, if I'm lucky."

Nerves shouldn't be a factor for Bundy, who's made a successful return from 2013 ligament-reconstructive surgery on his right elbow.

"I don't get too nervous anymore in the bullpen, so I don't know if it's too different starting or not, though I guess we will find out Sunday," he said.

"I'm really excited. First major league start for anybody is going to be exciting. I'm excited for it and we'll see how it goes.

"I got some experiences in the bullpen, 20-something appearances, and I was able to keep the nerves down, so I'll treat it like pretty much the same thing except I'm starting and not coming in in the fifth. Just go out there and compete and try to give the team as many innings as I can."

Bundy said his family won't attend the game, but his agent is in town.

Left-hander Donnie Hart, whose contract was selected today from Double-A Bowie, will have a contingent that includes his parents, aunts and uncles, and his sister and brother-in-law.

Thom Dreier, the scout who signed Hart, will be at Tropicana Field tonight and Saturday. Hart is Dreier's first signee to make the majors.

The Orioles are checking on available left-handed relievers, but they want to give Hart a chance and not overlook potential solutions within the organization.

In case you missed it, the Orioles signed seventh-round pick Preston Palmeiro, a first baseman from North Carolina State and youngest son of Rafael Palmeiro.