Reds' Bailey to make season debut Saturday
The streaking Cincinnati Reds are set to receive a shot in the arm when right-hander Homer Bailey makes his season debut in St. Louis on Saturday.
Bailey, who's working his way back from season-ending forearm surgery, tossed 5 2/3 innings during a rehab assignment for Triple-A Louisville on Sunday, surrendering three earned runs on five hits with three strikeouts and throwing 56 of his 91 pitches for strikes.
It was his final minor-league tune-up before what's expected to be his first start since last August.
"We're not putting a ton of value in the outing beyond making sure he feels really good," manager Bryan Price told reporters Saturday. "He doesn't have to pitch his way back on the ball club. He has to get his innings and pitches up."
Bailey, who pitched consecutive 200-inning seasons from 2012-13, had a 3.71 ERA and 7.7 K/9 rate over 23 starts prior to suffering the injury last summer.
Cuban right-hander Raisel Iglesias was optioned to Triple-A on Monday to clear room on the roster and rotation. The 25-year-old will continue to start in the minors after pitching five innings in his major-league debut Sunday.
The Reds have lost three straight after opening the season with four consecutive wins.