Dylan Bundy unlikely to start again in AFL (updated)

Orioles top pitching prospect Dylan Bundy isn't expected to make another start in the final two weeks of the Arizona Fall League.

Bundy was scratched from Monday's start with stiffness in his right forearm and replaced by former Rule 5 pick Jason Garcia. The Orioles referred to him as "day to day," but I'm told that he probably will be shut down and continue to receive treatment for a muscle strain.

The former first-round draft pick could report to the minicamp in January at the Ed Smith Stadium complex in Sarasota before pitchers and catchers arrive at spring training the following month.

Orioles officials continue to downplay the severity of the issue.

"He has a little tightness in his forearm," Orioles director of player development Bran Graham said earlier this week. "He's fine, no injury. Just some tightness, so we backed off. It's day to day. With tightness in his forearm, obviously, we're not going to push him through that. There is no major concern."

Bundy threw 26 pitches in his two AFL starts with the Peoria Javelinas. He retired the side in order on seven pitches in his debut on Nov. 2, striking out one batter on a slider, and threw 14 of 19 pitches for strikes on Friday while allowing one run and two hits. The second hit was a bloop single into right-center field.

The Orioles were encouraged that Bundy threw all four of his pitches - fastball, slider, changeup and curveball - in his second outing against Surprise. His fastball again topped out at 94 mph.

Bundy was supposed to make two starts a week for the Javelinas, but the forearm issue changed his schedule.

Bundy has been limited to 63 innings since the start of the 2013 season. He underwent ligament-reconstructive surgery on his right elbow in June 2013 and was shut down in May after eight starts at Double-A Bowie with discomfort in his right shoulder caused by calcification in the Teres minor muscle. Dr. James Andrews cleared him to start a throwing program last month.

Update: Another official confirmed that Bundy won't make another start in the AFL. He's shut down.