Bundy the rotation's exception

The official Twitter record was set yesterday for "can he pitch?" responses. About position players drafted by the Orioles and first baseman David Washington joining the club in Chicago. About anyone and anything that, in reality, doesn't have a pitching background, including infielders, outfielders and garden tools.

I'm not counting "can he pitch tomorrow?" in relation to actual pitchers who were drafted by the Orioles in the first 10 rounds.

It's no secret that the Orioles rotation is a major concern of fans and followers, with the exception of Dylan Bundy, who's trying tonight to register his 12th start of six or more innings. He's come up short a grand total of once, when he threw 100 pitches in five innings against the Red Sox on June 3. He allowed only two runs.

Alec Asher appeared on his way to his fourth quality start last night until Matt Davidson's grand slam in the sixth inning, the big blow in a 6-1 loss that dropped the Orioles below .500.

Bundy faced the White Sox on May 6 in Baltimore and allowed three runs over six innings in a 6-5 win. Bundy improved his record to 5-1, but he's lost four of his last five decisions. Not that wins and losses are an accurate gauge of a pitcher's effectiveness, but it indicates that the team also has lost. They go together.

Bundy is 2-0 with a 3.21 ERA in three career games (two starts) versus the White Sox, with five runs, two walks and 13 strikeouts in 14 innings. In his only start in Chicago, Bundy allowed two runs and four hits over six innings, with one walk and nine strikeouts, in a 10-2 win on Aug. 7, 2016.

José Abreu is 5-for-7 with a double and home run against Bundy.

Right-hander Miguel González is making his second start against the Orioles this season. He held them to two runs in 6 2/3 innings on May 5, but the Orioles won 4-2. He's 0-2 with a 3.55 ERA in his two career starts against his former team, with six runs (five earned) and 16 hits in 12 2/3 innings.

Mark Trumbo is 4-for-13 (.308) with two home runs against Gonzalez. Adam Jones and Manny Machado are 3-for-6.

In his last two outings, González has been charged with 10 runs and 16 hits in 10 2/3 innings. He's surrendered four home runs.

Washington is expected to have a locker today in the visiting clubhouse at Guaranteed Rate Field, formerly known as U.S. Cellular Field. He's going to replace Chris Davis, who's headed to the disabled list with a strained right oblique that's going to sideline him a lot longer than 10 days.

"It's potentially on the shorter side, but what's short? A month rather than two months?" Showalter asked reporters last night in Chicago.

"Last time (2014), I think he had one that was like 16 days. You can't put any time on something like this."

Fans dismissing Davis' injury while citing his .226 average and 95 strikeouts are missing how much he can influence a game with his defense at first base, and how he's still a power presence in the middle of the order. Ask any opposing manager.

The Orioles are deep at the position, as opposed to other spots in the infield. That's the one positive aspect.

Washington is joining the Orioles before Pedro Álvarez and perhaps it's at least partially about defense, though he's not known for his glove work. Washington also is swinging a hot bat, going 15-for-35 (.429) with three home runs during a nine-game hitting streak. Álvarez is 0-for-24 with 10 strikeouts in his last six games to lower his average to .213.

Washington was hitting .327 against right-handers and .196 against left-handers.

The Orioles signed Washington to a minor league contract on Nov. 21 and he seemed to win over Showalter in spring training with his attitude and approach as much as his power.