Dylan Bundy could face first live batters in a year at Orioles practice next week

Dylan Bundy had Tommy John surgery on June 27, 2013. (G Fiume/Getty Images)

Top Orioles prospect Dylan Bundy could face live batters in a practice next week, a step that would mark the first time he's thrown to hitters since March 24 of last year, according to a report Tuesday from Orioles insider Eduardo Encina of The Baltimore Sun.

The 21-year-old Tulsa, Oklahoma-native underwent Tommy John surgery last June, but threw 50 pitches on Monday and will go for another 50-pitch bullpen on Thursday. Following that outing, Bundy's next step would be to throw live at batting practice on May 13. As Encina explains, the right-hander would need to go through two of those live batting sessions before he could potentially get the green light for a simulated game.

If all goes well, it's conceivable that Bundy could get his debut at the midpoint of the 2014 season. In January, Encina reported that Bundy had circled June 28 -- a home game vs. Tampa Bay -- as his targeted return, a year and a day after his Tommy John surgery.

The Orioles are currently 15-14 and at the top of the AL East.

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