SEATTLE -- The Baltimore Orioles threw19-year-old pitching prospect Dylan Bundy into the middle of a pennant race on Wednesday, recalling the prized right-hander from Double-A Bowie.
The Orioles were with few other options after playing an 18-inning marathon against the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night and facing a doubleheader against Toronto on Monday.
"He's a good fit for us and we didn't have a whole lot of options," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said before Wednesday night's game against the Mariners. "We needed an arm here tonight with where we are with the roster and everything.
"As far as Dylan we'll take it day by day."
The Orioles bullpen was taxed after seeing seven relievers work in Baltimore' s 5-hour, 43-minute 4-2 victory in the early hours Wednesday morning. Jim Johnson pitched the 18th inning for his 44th save after Taylor Teagarden's pinch-hit RBI single in the top of the 18th snapped a 2-2 tie.
And the night got even longer for some Orioles staff members after pitcher Brian Matusz had an allergic reaction to some food in the postgame spread and needed to be taken to a hospital for treatment. Matusz was back at the ballpark and available to pitch Wednesday night if needed, Showalter said.
"I'm hoping these two days we can get our bullpen back on its feet again," Showalter said.
Bundy has not yet pitched in the majors and will be the first Oriole pitcher to debut before his 20th birthday since right-hander Mike Adamson in 1967. Along with infielder Manny Machado, who made his debut earlier this season at 19, the duo are the first teenagers to debut in the same season for the Orioles since Paul Blair and Frank Bertaina in 1967.
He was expected to pitch for the Orioles instructional league club on Friday, but got the call that he was needed in Seattle. Showalter doesn't like using players on the day they travel and join the team, but called Wednesday's situation far from perfect and would use Bundy if needed.
"I don't think we've got that perfect world right now," Showalter said. "So if we have a problem we'll see him. ... He can provide the most length of anyone we've got down there right now."
Bundy was selected fourth overall in the 2011 draft. He was a combined 9-3 with a 2.08 ERA with three minor league affiliates this season, including 2-0 with a 3.24 ERA in three starts at Bowie.
For his first night with the Orioles, Bundy is a reliever. That could possibly change over the next few days. Showalter said they are leaning toward giving Chris Tillman an extra day of rest and that he will probably start Sunday in Boston instead of Saturday. That leaves an opening for Saturday and Showalter said he's considering four options for starting against the Red Sox.
"We'll see if, one, the situation arises that he can contribute and, two, if he can," Showalter said. "Curiosity is always determined by the other team. I'm proud of him and the work that they've put in for him to be an option. Let's face it, it's not just because he's on the roster, it's not just because there is a need, it's because we felt like he was capable of contributing."
