Bundy's start tonight, Trumbo's first game and more on the draft

Dylan Bundy was supposed to open the four-game series in Cleveland last night until two days of rain in New York necessitated an adjustment of the Orioles' pitching plans.

Dan Straily took the mound last night after missing the Yankees and allowed four runs and six hits in 3 1/3 innings. Bundy goes tonight, knowing that the radar readings at Progressive Field will garner most of the attention.

Manager Brandon Hyde removed Bundy from his last start after only 80 pitches, the right-hander losing command and velocity in the fifth inning. You know the story by now. The fastball was clocked at 87 mph, it averaged a career-low 89.8 mph for the game - the previous record being 89.9 - and Bundy insisted afterward that his arm felt fine.

Bundy did some long-tossing twice in the outfield at Yankee Stadium. And he didn't drown, which also kept him on the active roster.

A painful arm would have prevented Bundy from chucking the ball at that distance.

David Hess passed Bundy Wednesday afternoon for the team lead in home runs allowed with 14, which also topped the majors. Bundy has surrendered 11.

Left-handers are batting .225/.295/.394 against Bundy and right-handers are slashing .256/.351/.646. He's 3-1 with a 3.78 ERA and 1.320 WHIP in four career games against the Indians over 16 2/3 innings, but he's never started at Progressive Field, his experience limited to 1 1/3 scoreless relief innings.

Jason Kipnis is 4-for-9 with a home run against him.

* While Renato Núñez remains in the clutches of a prolonged slump, the man who had been projected to serve as the primary designated hitter is ready to play in his first extended spring training game today.

Mark Trumbo's baseball activities have progressed to the point where he isn't restricted to hitting in the cage. He's going to get real at-bats in Sarasota, though the games obviously don't count in any standings.

Trumbo has been throwing and taking batting practice, and a big advancement came with his ability to perform baserunning drills to test his surgically repaired knee.

The decision was made late in spring training to shut down Trumbo and start over rather than continue to push for a spot on the opening day roster. He was 2-for-12 in six games and unable to run freely up the first base line.

A complicated surgery in September to repair cartilage made opening day a longshot, but Trumbo gave it a valiant effort.

The Orioles can figure out later how to fit Trumbo on the 25-man roster if he completes his comeback. A three-man bench might have to expand with Trumbo and Núñez limited in the field.

Núñez is out of options.

Trumbo is in the final year of the $37.5 million contract he signed in January 2017. He's making $11 million this season and the deal includes $1.5 million deferred in 2020-2022.

* Major League Baseball released some draft details yesterday, and they include how the Orioles hold the first, 42nd and 71st overall picks on the first day.

The selections cover the first, second and competitive balance B rounds.

The draft begins on June 3 and airs live on MLB Network at 7 p.m.

The Orioles hold the first overall pick for only the second time in club history. They selected LSU pitcher Ben McDonald in 1989.