Reds' Homer Bailey fans 6 in rehab start, 'prepared' to join rotation
Homer Bailey was victorious in his final scheduled rehab start and is nearing a return to the Cincinnati Reds.
Homer Bailey's third rehab start may not have been his best, but it was encouraging.
Enduring stressful situations, the Cincinnati Reds' Bailey went 5.2 innings, allowed two earned runs, struck out six and walked two in his first appearance with the Triple-A Louisville Bats.
"It was all pretty good there until the end. I got a little frustrated with the number of infield hits that they got," said Bailey. "For the most part, I think they had two solid hit balls."
The former first-round pick peppered 91 pitches (58 strikes) on the night. He topped out at 94 miles per hour, which was lethargic compared to past outings.
"It was a little slower tonight than what it has been," Bailey said. "We've done three rehab starts. We went from Arizona to Pensacola to Cincinnati to Dayton, back to Cincinnati, drive down here, get here like last night.
"Just a little bit of a break would probably do me a little bit of good. Not necessarily in days, but to be in one place for more than two days."
Bailey, who underwent arthroscopic elbow surgery in February, combined for 11 strikeouts and one walk in 11 scoreless innings between Low-A Dayton and Double-A Pensacola.
For the Bats, he had two turbulent frames.
In the first, the Texas native allowed the first two runners aboard before settling in and stranding both.
The third inning brought a different result.
With two outs, Columbus' Josh Wilson, Giovanny Urshela and Richie Shaffer combined for a home run, triple and single, plating two in the process.
"The home run opposite field — I don't really get that upset about those," said Bailey. "You want to go home run oppo on me? You tip your hat. I left the ball a little up there."
Despite the rocky innings, Bailey exhibited control for the most part. However, he allowed two free passes in his final inning.
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"It wasn't physical fatigue. It was more getting kind of frustrated with all the infield hits and then trying to do a little too much," the 31-year-old said. "I thought we did a pretty good job tonight."
Cincinnati entered today's action with the worst starters' ERA in Major League Baseball (6.09). Additionally, Bronson Arroyo and Asher Wojciechowski, two members of the rotation, have been removed via injury and DFA, respectively.
Therefore, a spot is open for Bailey to make his next start with the Reds.
Yet, nothing is certain.
"Trying to get a plan together is damn near impossible," he said. "[Bryan Price] said it best, and I was on the same mindset, 'Hey, go take care of the game tomorrow and then after that, we will go to work.'
"It's really day-to-day. Like I said, I will show up here tomorrow and get back on my five-day routine. Whatever they decide is whatever they decide. I feel prepared."
Bats manager Delino DeShields, however, hinted Bailey's rehab stint may be over.
"I saw Arroyo went on the disabled list today. Nothing else is scheduled here for Homer, as far as I know."
Arroyo's spot in the rotation is Saturday when the Reds play at Washington.
