Kline's perseverance, a trait learned from mom

BALTIMORE -- When Orioles right-hander Branden Kline made his Major League debut last month, he completed a long and winding road to the big leagues. His is a story of perseverance, as Kline overcame three arm operations and spent six seasons in the Minors before toeing the rubber that night at Camden Yards.

That’s a trait he attributes to his mother, Linda, who took Branden to Oriole games as a kid and worked as a county administrator to raise their family in nearby Frederick, Md.

“From a young age, I saw that from my mother: The determination, the effort to be able to get things accomplished no matter what obstacle got in her way,” Kline, 27, said. “I tried to implement that in my life. What can I do to get through what’s going on, to get the job done?”

Which might explain why Linda reacted the way she did upon seeing her son pitch at Oriole Park. In the stands that night, Linda, overcome with emotion, broke down during a tearful television interview in what stands as one of the most heartfelt moments of the young season.

“He worked so hard to get here,” Linda told MASN sideline reporter Sara Pearlman. “It was worth every minute.”

For Kline, his mother’s reaction spoke to the constant support his family provided to help make his big league dreams a reality.

“I’m one of those people who doesn’t celebrate Mother’s Day, to be honest with you,” he said. “Because every day should be Mother’s Day.”

Bundy update
A day after a drop in velocity caused some initial concern for the club in regards to Dylan Bundy, the Orioles were pleased when the right-hander reported to the ballpark feeling no ill effects from his truncated start Saturday afternoon. Manager Brandon Hyde reiterated their belief that there is nothing physical ailing Bundy, despite the career-low 89.6 mph average fastball velocity he displayed Saturday. Those radar readings prompted Hyde to remove Bundy after just five innings and 80 pitches in a one-run game.

“The command being shaky, that’s a little bit of a red flag for us,” Hyde said. “What’s abnormal for me, with him, is the couple walks and the high misses with the loss in velocity.”

Worth noting
Finished with extended Spring Training, Austin Hays traveled north to begin a Minor League rehab assignment at Class A Advanced Frederick. Hyde confirmed the affiliate Sunday morning. Should Hays complete his assignment healthy, he’d be ticketed for Triple-A Norfolk likely later this month. The club’s No. 4 prospect per MLB Pipeline is yet to appear this season due to a sprained left thumb.

More Mother's Day
In addition to the pink Mother’s Day gear and equipment the Orioles wore and used along with the rest of baseball Sunday, the club also used the occasion as an opportunity to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research. That took the form of honoring Melanie Vohs, a Bel Air, Md., native currently battling breast cancer and celebrating her first Mother’s Day. After being diagnosed when she was 22 weeks pregnant, and consulting with her doctors at MedStar Franklin Square Medical Group, Vohs delivered a healthy baby girl, Morgan Olivia, this winter. Vohs finished her 20th and final chemotherapy treatment on Thursday.