The numbers make this an obvious and necessary move, but there are some caveats.
"He just knows his body," Riggleman said. "He feels like it takes him a long time to get ready. He does not envision this as something that would be a smooth transition.
"He's pitched a long time, and he's always been a starter. He's used to a side day and a couple more days off. Everything is set up. That's kind of where we are. If something happens in the fourth or fifth inning, you're only giving him a few hitters to get warm. That probably won't be enough."
I’m no pitching coach, but I feel like this is something he can work out if he just gives it a shot.
Bailey has had his struggles, but he is a pro — and obviously whatever he’s doing now isn’t working, so it makes sense to try something else.
For what it’s worth, Bailey would seem to be the type of guy whose stuff could really benefit from the usual uptick that comes with working out of the bullpen.
As a side note, I think worrying about Bailey’s salary in any move is fairly silly.
They have to pay him no matter what. Does it make sense to also give him a greater chance to cost the team games by starting him every five days? I don’t really think so.
Isn’t it better to pay him not to lose games than to pay him to actually pitch and make losing more likely?…
Reds embarrass selves, Cubs embarrass baseball, Cavs and Warriors back in NBA Finals https://t.co/OfmnzkYAyM
— Marcus Hartman (@marcushartman) May 29, 2018
After the news about the erstwhile ace hit the press last night, Luis Castillo took the mound for the Reds against the Diamondbacks.
The next Great Right-Handed Hope battled control problems while allowing five runs (four earned) in five innings of a 5-2 loss.
He walked three and struck out six while allowing more than two runs in a start for the first time since getting battered by the Twins on April 27.
Despite the clunker to close it out, May was a good month for Castillo, who was 3-2 with a 3.48 ERA. He struck out 37 and walked 12 in 33.2 innings.
"I was trying to work 100 percent and do my job as I always do. But, you know, it was one of those nights where the small details were not there," Castillo said. "When you make those mistakes, you get hurt. Unfortunately, I lost the game today."
Obviously there’s no reason to sell Castillo stock if you have it (and if you don’t, why not?).
Bonus: Brad Boxburger closed out the win for Arizona, offering a reminder of that disastrous trade for Mat Latos that ruined the Reds farm system for years to come…
Cincinnati Reds: Scooter Gennett earns NL honor https://t.co/dIsP0UBFVL
— daytonsports (@daytonsports) May 30, 2018
Finally there's the Next Next Great Right-Handed Hope for the Reds, Hunter Greene.
For the third time in his last four starts, the 2017 first-round pick made a clear step forward in his development with the Dayton Dragons.
Greene struck out four Western Michigan Whitecaps while going a career-long five innings. He walked two and allowed one run on three hits.
He threw 45 strikes in a career-high 79 pitches.
The story continues to be two-pronged with the 18-year-old phenom: He is learning to win with his fastball and utilize scouting reports.
"I'm taking as much as I can in, slowing it down," Greene said. "I'm still trusting myself and getting as much inventory as I can from (pitching coach) Seth (Etherton) and guys that are older and guys that have been at this level and played, being able to take little things here and there and implement it."
Greene did not hit triple digits with his heater, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing if it means that pitch is not as straight.
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