Reds don't expect Bailey back until mid-May
Homer Bailey won't be making a miraculous return to the Cincinnati Reds' lineup ahead of schedule.
Reds president of baseball operations Walt Jocketty confirmed in an interview with ESPN's Jim Bowden that the club expects the 29-year-old right-hander to return to pitch by mid-May of 2016.
Bailey has been on the shelf since early May after undergoing Tommy John surgery on his right elbow.
Cincinnati set a major-league record for consecutive starts made by rookie pitchers last season, so the eventual return of Bailey would be welcomed.
REDS ROOKIES W/ 10+ STARTS IN 2015
| PITCHER | GS | W-L | ERA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anthony DeSclafani | 31 | 9-13 | 4.05 |
| Michael Lorenzen | 21 | 4-9 | 5.40 |
| Raisel Iglesias | 16 | 3-7 | 4.15 |
| Keyvius Sampson | 12 | 2-6 | 6.54 |
| John Lamb | 10 | 1-5 | 5.80 |
The former first-round pick pitched in just two games for the Reds last season, posting a 5.56 ERA.
For his career, Bailey owns a 58-51 record with an ERA of 4.19, while striking out 7.4 hitters per nine innings.