Bundy rested and Orioles expect him to be ready

Dylan Bundy is preparing today for his 24th start of the season, ranking him third on the Orioles behind Kevin Gausman (27) and Wade Miley (26).

It hasn't been a level playing field for Bundy, who has gone extended stretches between outings.

Manager Buck Showalter wants to provide extra rest for his starters, and his methods mostly impact Bundy, the former first-round pick who's in his first full season in the rotation.

Bundy logged 109 2/3 innings last season as a rookie, the first half spent in the bullpen. He currently ranks second on the club with 140 1/3 innings and should be able to pass Gausman (144) unless I just exercised my powers to jinx.

I still can't predict the weather, so please don't ask.

Bundy was pushed to the back of the rotation coming out of the break, giving him 11 days of rest. He faced the Astros on July 23, allowed seven runs in 5 1/3 innings and didn't pitch again until Aug. 1, when he rationed the Royals to an unearned run and three over eight frames.

We haven't seen Bundy, other than in the clubhouse and the dugout, since he pitched in Oakland on Aug. 12. He allowed three runs and struck out 10 batters over six innings in a 12-5 win.

Bundy is 3-0 with a 2.14 ERA and 0.905 WHIP in three August games and his averaging 10.7 strikeouts per nine innings. He was 1-2 with an 8.41 ERA and 1.475 WHIP in four July starts.

In four outings with six or more days of rest, Bundy has gone 3-1 with a 2.52 ERA and 0.800 WHIP in 25 innings and has walked only two batters.

The stops in starts can leave some pitchers feeling unsettled, too rusty or too strong. Bundy has shown a certain maturity in handling it.

Perhaps it comes from past mistakes, when he pushed himself too hard and put his health at risk. Better to punt the football mentality.

"He's actually good about the routine. We just have to give it to him. It's not something you spring on him," said manager Buck Showalter.

"With the things he's been through and the trouble you get into with always more, more, more, I think he really trusts us and the way we want to handle it. And we don't just cram it down his throat. We go, 'Here's what we're thinking. Do you think anything different?'

"I think he's handled the rest well. I know he's charting every game in the dugout with a pen and paper. He's watching, talking to his teammates. I've been real impressed with the maturity that he's handled it with. Believe me, he wants to be out there every fifth day, but I think he's been able to kind of watch and see some things that he might have done early in his pitching career, something that he's learned from. And he knows how precious his arm and shoulder are. I think he appreciates the caution."

The Orioles, in turn, appreciate Bundy's attitude and production. He was the standout starter in the first half, with absolutely no room for debate, and he remains a rock. He just gets ... wait for it ... skipped on occasion.

Khris Davis is 2-for-4 with a home run off Bundy and Matt Olson is 1-for-3 with a home run.

Oakland left-hander Sean Manaea didn't make it out of the first inning in an Aug. 12 start against the Orioles, surrendering six runs and six hits and retiring only one batter in a 12-5 loss. Bundy was the opposing pitcher.

Reliever Miguel Castro will be removed from the bereavement list today. The Orioles optioned Alec Asher following last night's loss.