Dylan Bundy says decision to stop throwing slider/cutter for now was his

Orioles right-handed reliever Dylan Bundy said the decision for him to - at least for now - not throw his cutter/slider originated with him and that team officials agreed with him.

After Bundy allowed two runs over 2 2/3 innings in last night's game, manager Buck Showalter mentioned that Bundy is not throwing the cutter/slider this season.

Bundy was shut down after two innings in two games during the Arizona Fall League last November and felt throwing that specific pitch was the reason.

"It all started this offseason," Bundy said this morning. "I came into that (January) mini-camp in Sarasota and told them I quit throwing it. I think that was the pitch that was giving me problems in the fall league in my forearm.

"So I told them I wasn't going to throw it coming into spring, and then in spring training, I said maybe halfway through the year or so, when I get some strength back in my arm, I might start throwing it again."

So the decision to not use that pitch this year was all his?

"Well, both," he said. "They agreed to it. We all kind of sat down. Me, Dom (Chiti) and Dave (Wallace) and Buck (Showalter) we talked about it at that mini-camp for about 20 to 30 minutes. Whether I should even bother with it at all. We are all agreeing that now is not the best time to throw it.

"That pitch, I was getting around it too much and it was tweaking my forearm. So we are all understanding that right now I need a full year healthy (more) than a cutter/slider."

But doesn't that now make it harder for Bundy to get major league hitters out, minus a key pitch?

"You could say that, but I still have the fastball, curveball and changeup," Bundy said. "Three pitches out of the bullpen. You see guys throwing one or two out the 'pen. I think it is more about commanding the ball and throwing the ball where I want to.

"I think I will be a better pitcher in the long run If I can master those pitches first and maybe in the future add that slider/cutter thing. I wouldn't say that is my best pitch. Your fastball is the best pitch if you are throwing your secondary pitches for strikes. But it helps all the other pitches. Right now, having a full year healthy is most important."

Bundy said his arm has felt great all year and that he is fully healthy. In 16 games this season, Bundy is 1-1 with a 4.94 ERA. Over 23 2/3 innings, he has allowed 35 hits with eight walks and 13 strikeouts.