Minor league updates on Taylor, Harvey, Bundy, Sisco, Hart and more

Single-A Frederick pitcher Matt Taylor, who was hospitalized in Salem, Va. on Thursday night after being hit in the head by a line drive, was released from the hospital today.

"He is on his way back to Frederick with the strength coach. He will be under the doctor's care when he gets back to Fredeick. The diagnosis is a concussion. We just don't know how long he will be out," Orioles director of player development Brian Graham said this afternoon.

Taylor will go on the Keys disabled list. He's had some tough luck so far in 2015. He began the season late due a muscle spasm in his back. The concussion could keep him out for several weeks, and he will have to be cleared by MLB medical officials before he can return to the field, per the concussion protocal.

Graham provided a few other player updates today. Frederick catcher Chance Sisco is still not cleared for baseball activities after going on the DL on April 25 with a strained oblique. This is his second DL stint already after an earlier hand injury.

"He's doing better, but he is not doing any physical activities," Graham said. "The oblique is such a sensitive area and it encompasses every area of your playing."

So Sisco is probably at least a few weeks from returning. He is expected to head to Florida for his rehab.

Meanwhile pitcher Hunter Harvey, the Orioles' first-round pick in 2013, was scheduled to pitch two innings today in Florida in an extended spring training game. Harvey is on the disabled list with a slight fracture in his left shin since he got hit by a batted ball late in spring training.

"There will be a progression with him," Graham said. "I think what we are going to do is two innings and then probably two starts at three innings and one start at four and one at five innings and then we'll get him out to a (full-season) club."

Frederick outfielder Josh Hart is in Florida rehabbing from a strained right shoulder. He has been on the DL since mid April. He will play in extended spring games before he heads back to a full-season affiliate.

Double-A Bowie right-hander Matt Hobgood, on the DL since April 17 with shoulder soreness, is expected to resume throwing soon.

"He is feeling better," Graham said. "He had pneumonia to follow up on a sore shoulder. And they had a baby. He had a baby, pneumonia and a sore shoulder. He's feeling better and as far as the shoulder goes, that is one of those things you have to wait and see when he starts throwing. That should be real soon."

Frederick right-hander Devin Jones has told the Orioles he is retiring. Originally drafted by the O's in the ninth round out of Mississippi State in 2011, Jones was traded to San Diego for pitcher Brad Brach in November of 2013.

Jones was recently released by the Padres and in mid April the O's re-signed him. But after going 0-0 with a 7.71 ERA in three games for Single-A Frederick, Jones decided to end his baseball career.

"He just said he wasn't motivated to play anymore. Sometimes kids get to that point in their careers and that is where Devin was. I wish him the best of luck," Graham said.

Norfolk catcher Steve Clevenger, on the DL with a bruised thumb, has resumed throwing and taking batting practice, and appears close to a return.

Graham said right-hander Dylan Bundy touched 96 in his outing earlier this week when he retired all nine batters he faced with five strikeouts for Double-A Bowie at Erie on Wednesday. It was his best velocity since his Tommy John surgery.

"He threw the ball extremely well," Graham said. "Had command of the fastball and his velocity was good. (Pitching coach) Alan Mills and (manager) Gary Kendall said that was the best they'd seen him.

"His pitches are getting better, but I've said since the first day of spring training, 'Let's look up in June, middle of June and see where Dylan Bundy is.' That is a good indicator."