This was originally published at LockedonReds.com.
What are the Reds going to do with Homer Bailey? He's been dreadful in his last five starts. It wasn't long ago that Bailey was starting on Opening Day.
He pitched relatively well to start the year. Bailey posted a 3.68 ERA, pitched 29.1 innings, gave up 24 hits, four home runs and held opposing hitters to a .218 batting average in his first five starts. There was a brief moment where I thought he'd be one of their best starters this season.
Instead, he's fallen off of a cliff. He allowed five straight hits to start Friday night's game against Chicago in an 8-1 loss. Bailey lasted 4.2 innings, allowing 10 hits and six runs. He's been dreadful in the month of May and his last five starts have been about as bad as one could imagine. Opposing hitters have posted a .390 batting average against Bailey over that span. He's pitched a total of 23.2 innings, allowed 41 hits, eight home runs and his ERA is 9.13.
Bailey appears to be healthy, but he's a shell of the player the Reds signed to a 6-year, $105 million contract extension in 2014. What should the organization do with their most expensive starting pitcher?
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