Another day, another prominent pitcher down with Tommy John surgery. Today’s victim? Cincinnati Reds starter Homer Bailey.
RHP Homer Bailey to have "Tommy John" surgery. Is expected to return during the 2016 season.
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) May 1, 2015
The Reds signed the 28-year old (29 on Sunday) Bailey to a six-year, $105 million contract extension in February of 2014. He’s still owed $86 million (including a $5 million buyout on a $25 million mutual option in 2010), plus the remainder of his $10 million salary this season.
Bailey followed up a breakout 2013, the season that earned him the extension, with a down year in 2014. He made just 23 starts last year while dealing with tendonitis in his knee, a bulging disk in his neck, and most significantly, a torn flexor tendon in his right elbow.
In those 23 starts, Bailey pitched to a 3.71 ERA, struck out 124, and walked 45. This season, Bailey was a completely different pitcher in his two starts, completing just 11 1/3 innings, striking out three, walking four, and pitching with diminished velocity.
Cincinnati has replaced Bailey in the short-term with Cuban signee Raisel Iglesias and rookie Michael Lorenzen, with Lorenzen seemingly being the guy to take on the role on a more lengthy basis. The 23-year old had a 3.13 ERA in 24 starts with AA Pensacola last season, striking out 84 and walking 44 over 120 2/3 innings.
