In a season that has been nothing but a disaster for the Cincinnati Reds, the year just got worse. Their list of talent on the disabled list continues once again with players like Joey Votto or Sean Marshall out with injuries. This has really been the big story for the Reds this season and is part of the reason why their record is poorer than usual. The Reds ace Homer Bailey will miss the rest of the season, targeting a spring training return time. The Reds pitcher had surgery to repair a torn flexor tendon. Former Reds pitcher Jonathan Broxton had that surgery the season before.
Homer Bailey has had to miss some time this season with a neck and knee problems, but Reds first placed Bailey on the disabled list after he had arm pain after pitching on August 7th. Bailey, who in the offseason signed a 6 year $105 million dollar extension, had been pitching very well, overall 9-5 with a 3.71 ERA. He has also thrown a no-hitter the past two seasons, just not this year. Homer Bailey is their starting pitcher of the future since, in the offseason, the Reds could be making big moves in trading some top players. Fortunately, the Cincinnati Reds aren't in playoff contention, so this won't hurt those chances. The surgery was the best option to take because Bailey won't be out all of 2015. Prior to this though, the Reds skipped Bailey in the rotation hoping that he would be just fine. Rehabbing was the other option that the Reds and Bailey elected not to take.
To replace Homer Bailey, the Reds first did the smart approach by waiting to place him on the 60 day disabled list after the roster expanded, as they didn't have to worry about making a roster move. The Cincinnati Reds have Dylan Axelrod pitching now in place of Homer Bailey. Had Tony Cingrani been healthy, he would have ben the pitcher instead.
The Reds will certainly miss Bailey, and hopefully when spring training returns, Bailey is healthy and pitching back like he was before the injury.