Orioles pitching prospect Dylan Bundy won’t be returning to the mound in the near future but will avoid surgery for now following a visit with renowned orthopedist Dr. James Andrews on Monday.
As was the case with pitcher Zach Britton’s left shoulder last March, Bundy received a platelet-rich plasma injection to strengthen his right forearm that’s given him problems since the end of spring training. Bundy was shut down earlier this month and found the tightness in his forearm was still there after he attempted to begin a throwing program last week.
Per his request, the Orioles sent Bundy to Dr. Andrews on Monday, who prescribed the injection followed by six weeks of rest. Manager Buck Showalter said last week that Bundy is dealing with flexor mass tightness, but a previous MRI showed no structural damage to his pitching elbow.
Bundy saw team orthopedist Dr. James Wilckens last week before traveling to see Dr. Andrews on Monday. For now, Bundy will remain in Sarasota as he continues to rehab the elbow and forearm.
In many cases, PRP therapy involves more than one injection, but it is unknown whether that will be the case with Bundy. The procedure carries no tangible risk but has had varying degrees of success for many patients.
The good news for now is that Bundy will avoid going under the knife, but that doesn’t mean surgery wouldn’t be an option down the line if the injection and extended rest doesn’t provide the remedy.
