Seeing a light at the end of the tunnel, Dylan Bundy is throwing well at O's camp

SARASOTA, Fla. - For young Dylan Bundy, it's go time. It's time to begin his major league career. Sure he pitched in two games in 2012 for the Orioles, but now it's time to really get things started.

Out of options and coming off elbow and shoulder injuries, Bundy and the team have their fingers crossed that the talented 23-year-old right-hander can both stay healthy and impact their bullpen.

The Tommy John surgery from June 2013 and last year's shoulder issue have limited him to 63 innings over the past three seasons. In 2012, he proved he is not lacking in talent when he buzzed through three levels on the farm. But he will clearly be lacking in experience. But Bundy is healthy in camp - knock on wood - and very excited to give this major league gig a go in 2016.

"It's been hard," Bundy said of battling the injuries. "Three years of being hurt pretty much consistently and not being out there as much as I wanted to. But just seeing a light at the end of tunnel and knowing that eventually something is going to go my way. This is the light right here."

Bundy has pitched six times for the Orioles this spring, going 1-0 with a 3.86 ERA. In seven innings, he has allowed six hits and three earned runs with one walk and four strikeouts. He pitched two scoreless innings Wednesday against Minnesota. He pitched a 1-2-3 fifth inning last night in the win over the Yankees. It was the first time Bundy had pitched on just one day's rest. He passed that test.

The velocity that can touch the mid 90s and maybe more is coming back.

Bundy came into this camp knowing the limited innings he's pitched since 2013 meant he could not carry a starter's load this year. He has to work out of the bullpen for at least 2016.

"Fine with me," he said. "Any spot in the big leagues is fine. Just have to get used to getting loose quicker. Not having those 20 or 30 minutes as a starter. Need to be ready come the fourth or fifth inning or whenever called upon."

Bundy is working to learn how to get warmed up quickly in a bullpen role. Others on the O's staff have provided advice.

"Just giving me some small tips," Bundy said. "Nothing out of the ordinary. (Zach) Britton was telling me just get in the stretch and throw as many pitches as you can. Don't worry about your command in the bullpen because you are going to have eight more pitches on the mound when you come into the game. Just get your arm loose and get going.

"Sometimes it takes me 10 pitches (to be ready). Sometimes it takes 18. That all kind of depends on the situation in the game, how much you're stretching and moving around, how many times you play catch with the outfielder. There are a bunch of variables.

"Every day I watch what other people do. Might steal a few things from other guys. See what works for them, allowing them to get quicker looser than I do."

Bundy is riding that balancing line some pitchers navigate in spring training. He wants to work on some things when in the game, but also show some results, too. What has he been working on?

"I would say location of the pitches, what they are hitting, pitch sequences, spin on the ball, those are important," he said. "Tilt, movement, see what the hitters are reacting to.

"Of course you are working on stuff. But if you have bases loaded, you have to get outs instead of working on stuff. For me I was working on some off-speed stuff in some recent outings. Just looking to get my command consistently dialed in. Earlier in camp I was missing just off the plate and up with my fastball. Just need to get that dialed in a little better."

Bundy enjoyed a mostly normal winter. Back in the fall he was sent to the Arizona Fall League to get some work and innings. But he was shut down after a pair of one-inning outings by forearm stiffness and did not pitch again in the Fall League. But that was precautionary, O's club officials said then that was not a major concern.

His winter since then was mostly normal for a pitcher. Some throwing, but very little, if any, rehab. That had to be a very nice change for the pitcher once ranked as the No. 2 prospect in all of baseball.

"Yeah. Throwing-wise everything was good," Bundy said. "Got on the mound a couple of times before I got to spring training and felt great. So far I'm healthy and feel great. Been able to do PFPs (pitchers' fielding practice) with the guys on the same field and not be rehabbing with a trainer. Feels good."

He looks good, too.