Reds option Bailey to Triple-A Louisville

CINCINNATI -- Homer Bailey's stint in the fifth spot of the Reds' rotation proved to be only a cameo appearance, and a forgettable one at best.

As expected, Bailey was optioned to Triple-A Louisville on Wednesday. Cincinnati used the opening of the roster spot to activate outfielder Norris Hopper, who had been on the disabled list with nerve irritation in right elbow since April 23.

Bailey was 0-3 with an 8.76 ERA in his three starts. His last start was on Sunday vs. the Red Sox, in which he gave up five earned runs over 2 1/3 innings in a 9-0 loss. After that outing, manager Dusty Baker would not commit to giving the 22-year-old another start.

The Reds did not announce who would take Bailey's turn when the team faces the Yankees on Saturday in New York.

"We'll do something else for Saturday," Baker said of another pending roster move.

One leading candidate for a callup could be Louisville's Daryl Thompson, who has never pitched in the Majors and is scheduled to pitch for the Bats on Friday. Thompson faced the Yankees this year during Spring Training and struck out the side in a one-inning relief appearance.

A 22-year-old right-hander, Thompson is 6-2 with a 2.22 ERA, 18 walks and 78 strikeouts in 14 starts combined for Double-A Chattanooga and Louisville. He's 3-0 with a 3.25 ERA in his four starts since the promotion to Triple-A.

Another choice could be left-hander Adam Pettyjohn, who is 7-2 but has a lofty 4.84 ERA in his 14 starts for Louisville. Though Thompson is already on the 40-man roster, Pettyjohn is not.

Injured starter Josh Fogg, who was replaced by Bailey after going on the DL, is scheduled to make his third rehab outing for Class A Sarasota on Saturday.

The Reds have had zero stability with the fifth spot this season. Bailey, Fogg and Matt Belisle have combined to go 2-9 with an 8.74 ERA.