Homer Bailey to Triple-A

[superslugger616]

The Cincinnati Reds on Sunday optioned righthander Homer Bailey to Class AAA Louisville.

Bailey, who Cincinnati selected with the seventh pick in the first round of the 2004 draft, was 2-2 with a 6.99 ERA in six appearances with the Reds this season.

Prior to being called up in June, the 21-year-old was 6-1 with a 2.31 ERA and 51 strikeouts in 10 starts this season with Louisville.

After a 2006 season in which he made 13 starts at each Class A Sarasota and Class AA Chattanooga, Bailey was selected as the Reds minor league player of the year, and entered the 2007 season as Baseball America's No. 5 prospect in all of baseball.

As an 18-year-old, Bailey was named the High School Player of the Year by USA Today after going 15-0 with a 0.68 ERA in his senior season at La Grange High School in Texas.

In a corresponding move, the Reds recalled infielder Pedro Lopez from Class AAA Louisville. Lopez, 23, had spent his career in the Chicago White Sox organization before being acquired off waivers by Cincinnati in May.

Think this is just for the All-Star break or for an extended time? he did pitch pretty well last nite...

[Ursa]

Twins did the same thing with Slowey. My guess (and that's all it is) is that this is just to give him a game or two over the ASB and while the rotation sorts itself out in the period after.

[wildbill]

Per Rotoworld:

Jul. 8 - 12:59 pm et

Reds optioned RHP Homer Bailey to Triple-A Louisville.
Bailey is just going back down to make one start in the minors. He'll then resume his role as the Reds' fifth starter. "It wouldn't have happened without the All-Star break," general manager Wayne Krivsky said. "He wouldn't have pitched until eight or nine days from now. He understands completely."

It's amazing how quickly the tone of panic sets in when something like this happens.