Notebook: Rotation Change, DL Updates, Bailey (6/24)

[TeamBoone]

Saturday, June 24, 2006

Bailey hardly a secret; Pitcher's first Double-A start productive: 6 scoreless innings
BY JOHN FAY | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER

CLEVELAND - The way it's going, general manager Wayne Krivsky might make the club's minor-league report a classified document on the days Homer Bailey pitches.

Bailey, a 20-year-old right- hander, made his Double-A debut Thursday night. He threw six shutout innings in Chattanooga's 7-0 victory over Carolina.

He struck out seven, walked none and allowed five hits.

The question was put to Krivsky: Could we see Bailey with the Reds this year?

"You've got to slow down," Krivsky said. "Let's let him settle in at Chattanooga. I can't predict the future. He had a good first outing."

Bailey threw consistently in the mid-90s. His last pitch of the night was clocked at 98 mph.

"He was rested," Krivsky said. "That was by design. He only pitched one inning his last time out."

That was in the Florida State League All-Star Game. Bailey struck out the side on 12 pitches in that one inning.

Word of Bailey's outing got back to Reds manager Jerry Narron Thursday night.

Narron is convinced Bailey's stuff is good enough to compete on the big-league level. Narron kids that Krivsky blots out Bailey's line before sending the report to Narron.

"I don't need a report," Narron said. "I saw him in spring training."

WHITE CLAIMED: Right-hander Rick White, who was designated for assignment Monday, was claimed off waivers by the Philadelphia Phillies.

That takes the Reds off the hook for the remainder of White's $600,000 salary.

ROTATION TURN: The Reds revised their pitching rotation.

Left-hander Eric Milton will start Tuesday against the Kansas City Royals instead of Joe Mays.

That move will give right-hander Bronson Arroyo one more start before the All-Star break.

Milton is 10-0 with a 2.48 ERA in his last 11 starts against the Royals.

RICHIE DH: Rich Aurilia started at designated hitter Friday night against the Indians.

Narron considered using Ken Griffey Jr. at DH. But he opted for Aurilia instead.

Aurilia is still dealing with a strained right biceps muscle that bothers him when he throws.

BELISLE/ENCARNACION NEWS: Matt Belisle was transferred from Double-A Chattanooga to Triple-A Louisville to continue his rehab.

Belisle, on the disabled list since May 30 with a strained lower back, threw a scoreless inning for the Lookouts Thursday in his fourth rehab outing.

Krivsky wouldn't put a time- table on Belisle's stay.

"I don't know," he said. "He's making progress.

Third baseman Edwin Encarnacion did not begin a rehab assignment at Louisville Thursday. He hit in a simulated session in Dayton off Paul Wilson and Grant Balfour instead.

"He's still having trouble running the bases," Krivsky said. "He's getting stronger. Hopefully, a couple more days."

Encarnacion has been on the DL since June 9 with a sprained left ankle.

He was eligible to come off the DL Thursday.

FARM REPORT: Former No. 1 pick Chris Gruler made his season debut for the Gulf Coast Reds. Gruler, who's been battling shoulder problems for three years, pitched two scoreless innings. He walked two and struck out three in the GCL Reds' 4-2 win over the GCL Red Sox.

This year's second-round pick, Sean Watson, pitched 3 2/3 innings of perfect relief in Rookie League Billings' 5-3 loss to Great Falls.

Logan Parker, a 12th-round pick out of UC this year, had two more hits.

He has started his pro career 7-for-10.



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