Homer Bailey to the bullpen?

In our most recent podcast, Bill and I discussed the possibility of moving Homer Bailey to the bullpen temporarily when (if?) he returns in the near future. We are both long-time Homer fans, and there is no question that Homer needs to be a starting pitcher for the long-term, but putting him in the pen for a couple of months this year could (a) clear up the logjam in the rotation and (b) shore up the bullpen.

Check out John Fay’s report here:

Homer Bailey will throw a simulated game tomorrow. He’s seven days from a minor league rehab assignment.

“Everything is feeling really good,” he said. “Now, I’ve got to build my pitch count all the way back up.”

Bailey is still a ways away obviously. Given how late it is in the season, their position in the standing and the depth of starting pitching, would the Reds consider Bailey for a relief role?

“I don’t know,” Dusty Baker said. “Right now, we’re conditioning him as a starter.”

Bailey has never relieved – except under the piggy-back system used in the minors one year – but he’s willing.

“Whatever they want me to do,” he said. “You’ve got to learn to make adjustments. I’ll do whatever they want me to.”

I like Homer’s response, certainly. What are your thoughts?