15 Homer Bailey SP

Bailey signed a minor-league contract with the Athletics on Tuesday.

Bailey was let go by Minnesota in September of 2020, and he'll report to Triple-A Las Vegas going forward. The right-hander didn't appear with a team during spring training, but he made the roster for Team USA during the Olympic qualifying tournament. The 35-year-old has made 33 major-league starts across the last two seasons, and he posted a 4.52 ERA and 1.31 WHIP in 171.1 innings during that time.

The Twins released Bailey on Saturday.

Minnesota signed Bailey to a one-year, $7 million deal this offseason with the hope that he would step in as a capable fifth starter, but a biceps injury essentially wiped out his 2020 campaign. He was able to return from the 45-day injured list last week and gave up one run over three innings in a spot start, but since Bailey wasn't a serious candidate to make the Twins' postseason roster, the team opted to cut him loose. He's now free to sign with another organization and should get the chance to compete for a rotation else elsewhere next spring.

Bailey was designated for assignment by the Twins on Friday.

Bailey made just two starts for the Twins this season, spending the majority of the campaign recovering from biceps tendinitis. While he's healthy now, he won't be needed against for the rest of the season and isn't expected to play a role in the playoffs, so the Twins will give his roster spot to Edwar Colina, whose contract was purchased in a corresponding move.

Bailey didn't factor into the decision in Tuesday's contest between the Tigers and the Twins. He allowed one run on two hits and a walk while fanning three across three innings.

Bailey was activated from the 45-day injured list Tuesday and, as expected, he didn't go deep into the game -- this was just his second appearance of the 2020 season. It remains to be seen what role Bailey will have with the Twins during the playoffs, but it seems likely we see him come out of the bullpen since he spent most of the season sidelined with biceps tendinitis.

Bailey (biceps) was activated from the 45-day injured list Tuesday, Brandon Warne of ZoneCoverage.com reports.

Bailey made just a single start this season before being shut down by biceps tendinitis. He'll head straight into the rotation and will start Tuesday against the Tigers, but it's not clear how deep into the game he'll be allowed to pitch in his first game back from an extended absence. Sean Poppen was optioned in a corresponding move.

Bailey (biceps) has started throwing, manager Rocco Baldelli told the St. Paul Pioneer press.

Bailey made just one start this season and then was shut down due to right biceps tendinitis. He then started throwing again in early August before having another setback. It sounds like he's making progress, but it's not clear if he'll be able to return this season.

Bailey (biceps) was transferred to the 45-day injured list Saturday, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.

Bailey had resumed throwing as he deals with right biceps tendinitis, but had a setback when he recently had to shut down a throwing session, The Athletic adds. He'll be shifted to the 45-day injured list. He'll be eligible to return Sept. 13, although it's unclear if he'll be able to return when first eligible. Sean Poppen and Daniel Coulombe were added to the roster in corresponding moves.

Bailey (biceps) played catch Wednesday, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Bailey is back to throwing following a brief shutdown period due to right biceps tendinitis. While this is a step in the right direction, the right-hander will need to progress through a throwing program before he's cleared to rejoin the rotation.

Manager Rocco Baldelli said Friday that Bailey (biceps) still hasn't resumed throwing, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Bailey was unable to make his second start of the season as a result of right biceps tendinitis, and it appears as though he'll spend more than the minimum 10 days on the injured list. Baldelli didn't say when the right-hander could begin throwing again. In his first start of the year, Bailey allowed two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out four over five innings as he earned a win against the Cardinals.

The Twins placed Bailey on the injured list Sunday with right biceps tendinitis, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.

Initially lined up to start Sunday's series finale against the Indians, Bailey was pushed back a day in the pitching schedule for what was believed to be rest purposes, but his move to the injured list suggests otherwise. As a result of Bailey's shutdown, Randy Dobnak is expected to stick around in the rotation for at least another turn, while Jake Odorizzi (back) will likely be activated from the 10-day IL later this week to fill the vacated starting spot.

Bailey is scheduled to start Monday's game against the Pirates, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

The veteran right-hander lined up to pitch Sunday's series finale against Cleveland, but he'll instead receive an additional day of rest between starts. Bailey earned the win in his first start of the season after allowing two runs on four hits with four strikeouts and two walks over five innings. Tyler Clippard will serve as the opener Sunday.

Bailey (1-0) allowed two runs on four hits and two walks over five innings Tuesday to pick up the win as the Twins downed the Cardinals 6-3. He struck out four.

The veteran right-hander cruised through four innings before serving up a two-run shot to Tyler O'Neill in the fifth, but he held on to finish the frame and qualify for the win. Bailey tossed 80 pitches (46 strikes), and while it wasn't the most efficient outing, it was more than serviceable for a No. 5 starter. If he can continue to give the Twins quality innings, Bailey could have surprising fantasy value this season with one of the league's most dangerous offenses at his back.

Bailey is expected to begin the season as the fifth starter and make his debut in Minnesota's first home series against the Cardinals that begins Tuesday, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports. He gave up four runs on three home runs in three innings in an exhibition game Wednesday against the Cubs.

It's not clear which game in the St. Louis series he will start since the Twins are waiting to see when Jake Odorizzi can return from a sore back. Bailey didn't look sharp Wednesday, but he did have three strikeouts (though also two walks). The 33-year-old rebounded from a four-season stretch in which he struggled to a 6.25 ERA to post a passable 4.57 ERA in 31 starts for the Royals and Athletics last season. However, he improved last year after joining Oakland from Kansas City and had a 4.30 ERA and 1.20 WHIP with a 68:15 K:BB over his final 73.1 innings.

Bailey threw 3.1 scoreless innings in a scrimmage Saturday and drew praise from the Twins coaching staff, MLB.com reports. "He was really locked in throwing the ball exactly the way you would want to throw the ball down in Fort Myers, [Fla.], and he's shown up here throwing the ball the exact same way," said manager Rocco Baldelli.

Bailey is competing with Randy Dobnak, Devin Smeltzer, Lewis Thorpe, Sean Poppen and Jhoulys Chacin for the final spot in the Minnesota rotation. It was thought he was a lock to make the rotation, but a recent report from Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com said that the fifth starter role is unsettled. Given Baldelli's praise Saturday, it would be a surprise if Bailey doesn't win the job.

Bailey is competing with Randy Dobnak, Devin Smeltzer, Lewis Thorpe, Sean Poppen and Jhoulys Chacin for the final spot in the Minnesota rotation, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Pitching coach Wes Johnson said the Twins plan to use a five-man rotation after management had previously talked about a six-man rotation. The Twins plan to have several long relievers stretched out in case the workload of starters is limited early in the season. Bailey was thought to be a lock for the rotation in the spring, but the return of Rich Hill to full speed from an elbow injury could change the equation. Still, it's hard to see Bailey not winning the fifth spot in the rotation despite this report after Johnson gave Bailey significant praise in spring training.

Bailey threw two scoreless innings with two strikeouts in his first spring training outing in Friday's loss to Boston. "You look at what he did at the end of the season with Oakland, and talking with him - I don't want to give into all the secrets, so to speak, but I really think he's figured some things out," Twins pitching coach West Johnson told The Athletic.

Bailey turned his season around last year after joining Oakland from Kansas City and had a 4.30 ERA and 1.20 WHIP with a 68:15 K:BB over 73.1 frames. His strikeout rate improve to 21.4 percent from 15.2 percent in 2018, a jump which went hand-in-hand with a career-high usage rate on his splitter. Bailey used his split-fingered fastball more with Oakland and the Twins are encouraging him to focus on his new approach. Bailey will begin the season as the No. 4 starter in the rotation with Michael Pineda suspended until May and Rich Hill out until midseason as he recovers from elbow surgery.

Bailey signed a one-year, major-league deal with the Twins on Tuesday.

Bailey will receive $7 million on a one-year deal, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports. The 33-year-old rebounded from a four-season stretch in which he struggled to a 6.25 ERA to post a passable 4.57 ERA in 31 starts for the Royals and Athletics last season. His 21.4 percent strikeout rate was slightly worse than league average, while his 7.6 percent walk rate was slightly better. He's not much more than a back-end starter at this point in his career, and he may not even be that if he slides back to his previous form, but the Twins have a need for an innings eater, especially with fellow new signing Rich Hill (elbow) not expected to pitch until June or July.

Bailey is not on the roster for Wednesday's American League Wild Card Game against the Rays, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

The right-hander has recorded an ERA of 2.28 with a 1.01 WHIP in four starts in September, but will not be available for Wednesday's contest against the lefty-heavy Rays lineup. Sean Manaea will receive the start with Mike Fiers available if necessary. Should the Athletics advance, Bailey should earn a spot on the roster for the American League Division Series.

Bailey (13-9) took the loss against the Angels on Tuesday, giving up three earned runs on eight hits over five innings, striking out three and walking none as Oakland fell 3-2.

The veteran blanked the Angels through the first four innings but got tagged for three earned in the fifth, which was enough to ultimately saddle him with his ninth loss of the season, with his offense only giving him two runs of support. Still, this continued a nice recent run for Bailey, who has now reached the five-inning threshold without giving up more than three runs in eight straight starts since a seven-run blowup against the Cubs on Aug. 7. For the season, he has a 4.57 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 149:53 K:BB over 163.1 innings.

Bailey did not factor into the decision during Wednesday's 1-0 win over the Royals, tossing seven scoreless innings with 11 strikeouts while allowing just three hits and a walk.

During what turned into a pitching duel with Danny Duffy, Bailey recorded a season-high 11 strikeouts, holding the Royals hitless until Alex Gordon singled in the fifth. The right-handed displayed excellent command this time around and will take a 4.55 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 146:53 K:BB into his next start against the Braves on Tuesday.