Homer Bailey is one start away from rejoining the rotation. Johnny Cueto isn't far behind. The Reds don't really have an obvious guy to send down. I'm not a fan of the 6 man rotation, but I wonder if it wouldn't be a good idea for this team, this year.
- Bailey required two extra days of rest prior to his last rehab and will still get an extra day prior to his next one. He's got a history of arm issues for two years running now and seems to do well with the extra rest.
- Cueto had his own soreness that needs to be babied a little and has worn down in the past to the point of needing to be skipped and once even DL'd for a month to get some rest.
- Arroyo is suffering the residual effects of mono and probably will be most of the season. He's doing OK, but more rest would seem a good idea.
- Leake wore out pretty early in 2010 and had some arm issues when it was over. He's still young and needs to be babied a bit anyway. A sixth starter would be a good way to limit his innings while keeping him available all year.
- Wood is still a kid in his first full season. He can probably handle the load of a five man all year, but extra rest won't hurt him either.
- Volquez is still re-establishing himself post TJ. Can't hurt to baby him a bit as well.
Every one of the pitchers in this rotation might genuinely benefit by having an extra day between starts in 2011 and it would lighten the loads of the starters by 20 to 25 innings each. That may make them all a bit fresher as the post season starts-up and might help to level the field against other teams with more prototypical TOR starters who may be a bit worn down by October. I hated the idea when I first heard the suggestion and wouldn't want this to be a long term change, but with these pitchers on this team, this year, it has some logic to it. I'd be in favor of giving it a try to protect these young arms.
Thoughts?