34 Homer Bailey SP

Bailey was removed from Tuesday's game against the Cubs after three innings with right shoulder irritation.

It was initially thought that Bailey was lifted due to a lower-body injury, but it turns out that the veteran pitcher was bothered by some discomfort in his throwing shoulder. The Reds are saying that his removal was simply precautionary, so it sounds like he'll have a good shot to take the mound in his upcoming scheduled start against the Pirates on Sunday.

Bailey exited Tuesday's game against the Cubs after three innings with an apparent injury, Zach Buchanan of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Bailey allowed just one hit through his first three innings pitched before being removed from the game prior to the fourth. The reason for his removal has not been announced, but it appeared that the veteran hurler may have injured his leg while running out an infield single in the bottom of the second inning.

Bailey allowed six runs on seven hits and five walks while striking out 10 batters through 5.2 innings during Wednesday's loss to the Cubs. He didn't factor into the decision.

Through his first 10 starts of the season, Bailey's allowed two runs or fewer in five outings and 39 runs over 18 innings in the other five games. Wednesday checks out somewhere in between. Bailey got in trouble in the first inning and allowed a grand slam to Anthony Rizzo, but he also showcased his throwback pitch arsenal to pile up 10 punchouts. The veteran righty clearly boasts some upside, but his lack of start-to-start consistency makes him a risky fantasy option in all settings. He lines up to face the Cubs again in his next start, but this time the game will be at Great American Ball Park.

Bailey (4-6) allowed two runs on five hits and five walks over five innings while striking out five Friday to pick up the win as the Reds downed the Brewers 11-10.

Cinci's offense staked Bailey to a 10-2 lead by the top of the fourth inning, but he barely lasted long enough to reap the rewards, throwing 102 pitches (60 strikes) before hitting the showers. The 31-year-old now has an 8.31 ERA, 2.01 WHIP and 19:16 K:BB in 30.1 innings over six starts since the All-Star break, and he should be far from any active fantasy rosters heading into his next outing Wednesday on the road against the Cubs.

Bailey (3-6) allowed 10 runs on 10 hits and four walks across 3.1 innings in Sunday's loss to the Cardinals. He struck out three.

After a four-run second inning, Bailey was chased from the game with six additional tallies on four hits and two walks with just one out in the fourth. He threw first-pitch strikes to just 13 of 23 batters and recorded just one groundball out in this miserable appearance. Bailey has now alternated quality starts with disastrous ones over his last six, with his ERA rising to a disconcerting 8.86 during that span. He will next take the ball Friday against the Brewers.