The first injury of spring training has arrived in Goodyear, Arizona. Right-handed pitcher Brandon Bailey is going to require Tommy John surgery and he will miss the entire 2021 season. He was acquired by the Cincinnati Reds in November from the Houston Astros in a trade for a pile of cash.
During the 2020 season, the now 26-year-old pitched in five games for the Astros and allowed two runs in 7.1 innings (2.45 ERA) while giving up six hits, walking three batters, and striking out four hitters. He was going to be in competition for a spot in the bullpen, but now he’ll eventually wind up on the 60-day injured list. He will join Jared Solomon on the rehab track from Tommy John surgery among players on the 40-man roster. Solomon had surgery over the winter after injuring himself at fall instructional league.
Currently the Reds 40-man roster is full, but they will be able to clear a few spots up if and when they need them due to both of these injuries. Pitcher Vladimir Gutierrez is also on the 40-man roster, but he still has 20 games remaining to serve under a suspension from last year for a failed PED test in spring training. As things stand now, everyone else is expected to be ready to go when the regular season begins.
Luis Castillo is set to arrive in Goodyear today
Today it’s expected that Luis Castillo will arrive in camp in Goodyear. Several international players were delayed in arriving to spring training. Castillo is the final player to arrive, position or otherwise. The position players are all in the greater Phoenix area and are going through, or have gone through the intake process and submitted their tests for COVID-19 and will officially report for their physicals on Sunday and they will have their first full team workout on Monday.
Among the obvious questions – did they know this at the time of the deal, and was it included in the price? If no to either, cmon front office. Regardless, hope for a successful procedure and efficient recovery.
My first thought as well Optimist. Hope this is not an Omen of things to come.
No, they didn’t know it, and it wasn’t something that was there at the time of the deal. David Bell mentioned, and I am paraphrasing right now, how well he was throwing during the offseason and then it just happened and there was nothing leading up to it.
Thanks Doug – just recalling the Majewski/Madson affairs. Appears this doesn’t involve the financial impacts of those, given the control for a few years thru the recovery. Just hope the price wasn’t too high at the deal.
Who?
Sorry—that was my first reaction
Hmmmmm…every “Bailey” pitcher the Reds have ever had has undergone Tommy John surgery at some point.
Wrong.
Jim Bailey and King Bailey both pitched for the Reds and neither had Tommy John surgery.
Fun fact of your comment, though: I looked up everyone named Bailey to play in the Major Leagues and there were only 23 of them. The Reds have had five of them if we include Brandon Bailey, who hasn’t actually pitched for the Reds. The 5th Bailey was catcher Ed Bailey.
Bob Bailey also…
We have added quite a few arms, so this will open up a spot for someone to break out and win a job! Looking forward to the upcoming season. No more injuries please!!!
There will be more pitching injuries — hopefully no more needing TJ surgery. But coming off a season of only 60 games, some pitchers extended to 2.5 times that amount of work will break down. I expect Krall to continue to add pitchers with major league experience on minor league deals to build some depth at Louisville.