Rain Is A Good Thing For Homer Bailey Starts Thursday

The Reds and Houston were rained out Monday night and the game was rescheduled for Thursday afternoon.

Homer Bailey was supposed to throw another rehab in Dayton, not because he needed one but because his turn was Thursday and the Reds had a day off scheduled.

"Homer didn't need another rehab necessarily but we didn't want to revamp our whole rotation," Dusty Baker said.  "He's been working real hard.  It just worked out."

"This rainout also gives the bullpen rest," Baker said.

Bailey quoted a country song, "Rain Is A Good Thing" by Luke Bryan.

"Isn't there a song about that?" Bailey asked.  "I'm definitely glad to comeback into major league competition. More than that I feel prepared.  I'm ready to step back in."

Bailey understood why he needed to stay on his four-day routine between starts which meant another minor league appearance but was not thrilled about it.

"I was happy to hear this," Bailey said.  "I was a little bummed out because of the schedule."

Johnny Cueto will pitch Friday in another rehab assignment at "whoever is home," according to Baker.

Louisville is on the road.  Dayton hosts South Bend on Friday night.

"Cueto had good velocity," Baker said of the reports on Cueto's outing on Sunday.  "He got his pitch count high early.  He was spinning off target."

The Reds will move the rotation back one day.  Mike Leake will pitch Tuesday night.  Travis Wood will start Wednesday afternoon and Bailey on Thursday.

Sam LeCure was scheduled for Wednesday but will now go back to the bullpen in a long relief role.