15 Homer Bailey SP

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.

Bailey (13-8) earned the win over Houston on Thursday, pitching 5.1 innings and allowing one run on three hits and three walks while striking out four.

Bailey was far from efficient in the outing, tossing 96 pitches and issuing first-pitch strikes to only 10 of 22 batters, but he worked around three walks to pick up a key victory in Oakland's quest to earn a wild-card spot. The 33-year-old has been a steady presence in the rotation since coming over in a trade with Kansas City in mid-July, posting a 6-2 record along with a 4.70 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 54:14 K:BB in 11 starts with the Athletics. Bailey's next outing will be at home against Kansas City on Wednesday.

Bailey allowed two runs on five hits and a walk over 6.1 innings Friday, striking out three in a no-decision against the Tigers.

Bailey was cruising until a two-run homer from Christin Stewart in the seventh inning chased the right-hander from the game. The Tigers managed another pair of runs against the bullpen in the eighth, taking Bailey out of the running for a win. He owns a 4.87 ERA and 1.135 WHIP in 146 innings between the Athletics and Royals this season. His record remains 12-8 entering his next scheduled start, set for Thursday in Houston.

Bailey allowed two runs on four hits and one walk while striking out nine over 5.2 innings in a no-decision against the Yankees on Saturday.

Bailey didn't make many mistakes, but Gary Sanchez made him pay for the ones he did make, launching solo homers in the second and fifth innings. The veteran entered this game with a 5.52 ERA for Oakland, but with a 1.93 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 18:1 K:BB in his prior three starts. The small sample certainly doesn't override the larger body of statistical evidence, but Bailey is at least in the mix as a desperation option with a home matchup against Detroit on tap for next week.

Bailey (12-8) gave up three runs on eight hits and no walks while striking out three through six innings to earn the win over the Royals on Monday.

Bailey overcame extremely humid conditions to deliver a quality start and was the beneficiary of an offensive explosion from the Athletics. The right-hander has a 4.02 ERA in five August starts and has pitched much better than his overall numbers recently. Bailey has a 5.04 ERA and 119 strikeouts this season. Bailey is scheduled to make his next start Saturday at Yankee Stadium.

Bailey (11-8) got the win against the Yankees on Tuesday, giving up one earned run on seven hits over 5.2 innings, striking out eight and walking none in a 6-2 victory for the Athletics.

After tossing seven scoreless innings against the Giants in his last start, Bailey followed it up with another gem against a tough Yankees lineup, picking up his 11th win of the season. He got blown up for seven earned against the Cubs on Aug. 7, but Bailey has been on a nice run lately aside from that outing, as his other four appearances since July 27 have all been quality starts. Overall, Bailey has a 5.06 ERA and 1.39 WHIP across 128 innings.

Bailey (10-8) picked up the win Wednesday, giving up two hits and a walk over seven scoreless innings while striking out seven in a 9-5 victory over the Giants.

The Oakland bullpen made the game interesting after he left, but Bailey dominated the San Francisco lineup for seven frames, tossing 66 of 91 pitches for strikes while not allowing a baserunner past second base. The right-hander will take a 5.22 ERA and 108:47 K:BB through 122.1 innings into his next start Tuesday, at home against the Yankees.

Bailey (9-8) took the loss Wednesday as the A's were routed 10-1 by the Cubs, surrendering seven runs on six hits and a walk over 4.2 innings. He failed to strike out a batter.

The right-hander kept Chicago off the board through three innings, but then the floodgates opened. Bailey threw 46 of 73 pitches for strikes before being chased, and he'll carry a 5.54 ERA and 101:46 K:BB through 115.1 innings into his next start Aug. 14 in San Francisco.

Bailey threw six innings in a no-decision against the Brewers on Thursday, giving up two earned runs on five hits, striking out five and walking three in a 5-3 win for the Athletics.

It was the second straight quality start for Bailey, as he's bounced back nicely since getting shelled for nine earned by the Astros on July 22. The veteran now sports a 5.20 ERA, a 1.45 WHIP and a 101:45 K:BB over 110.2 innings on the season.

Bailey will start Thursday's game against the Brewers.

Though rotation mate Daniel Mengden entered the week ahead of Bailey in the pitching schedule, the Athletics appear set to skip Mengden's turn due to off days Monday and Friday. Bailey will thus return to the rubber Thursday on his normal four days' rest after a strong showing in his most recent outing with the Athletics last weekend versus Texas. He claimed his second win in three turns with Oakland after limiting the Rangers to three runs on seven hits and a walk over 6.2 innings.

Bailey (9-7) pitched 6.2 innings, allowing three runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out seven to earn the win Saturday against the Rangers.

Bailey cruised through the first six innings before getting into trouble in the seventh inning, which nearly cost the Athletics their lead. It was a strong bounce-back effort for Bailey, who was shelled for nine runs in his previous start. The 33-year-old has a 5.33 ERA and 1.46 WHIP in 104.2 innings this season. He'll be looking to reach double-digits in wins for the first time since 2013 when he takes on the Cardinals next Saturday.

Bailey (8-7) yielded nine runs on eight hits and three walks in two innings Monday, striking out two and taking the loss to Houston.

After earning a win in his Oakland debut, Bailey completely unraveled against Houston's lethal offense. He coughed up four runs in the second inning, including a solo homer from Yordan Alvarez. He then allowed a two-run shot and three-run homer in the third frame without recording an out, sending him to the locker room early. His ERA ballooned up to 5.42 after the rough night. Bailey will get a slightly easier matchup at home Saturday against Texas.

Bailey (8-6) allowed two earned runs on seven hits and no walks while striking out six across six innings to earn the win Wednesday against the Mariners.

Bailey turned in a strong start in his Athletics debut, allowing no home runs while also surrendering no free passes. His only real trouble came in a second inning when he allowed both of his earned runs, though he conceded only two hits in his remaining four innings of work. Bailey generated 24 combined swinging and called strikes, a strong tally for 87 total pitches. He'll look to build on this strong debut in his next start, currently scheduled for Tuesday at Houston.

Bailey is scheduled to make his Athletics debut Wednesday against the Mariners in Oakland, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Since Bailey has yet to pitch in the second half, he'll be sufficiently rested and shouldn't face any restrictions while stepping in as Oakland's new fifth starter during the upcoming week. Prior to getting shipped out of Kansas City on Sunday, Bailey was at least an acceptable innings eater for the Royals, netting a 4.80 ERA (4.62 xFIP) and 11.0 K-BB% across 18 starts. Bailey should have some staying power in an Oakland rotation that has been churning the Nos. 4 and 5 spots for a good portion of the campaign.

The Athletics acquired Bailey from the Royals on Sunday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

The Royals' return in the deal isn't known, but Oakland likely isn't sending back anything substantial while it pays the approximately $250,000 in salary Bailey is owed for the remainder of 2019. News of the trade surfaced shortly after Bailey was a surprise scratch ahead of his scheduled start for Kansas City in Sunday's game against the Tigers. The Athletics have yet to name a fifth starter coming out of the All-Star break, so Bailey could be plugged into the rotation right away and debut for the club Tuesday against Seattle. Over 18 starts this season spanning 90 innings, Bailey has posted a 4.80 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 81:38 K:BB.

Bailey was a late scratch ahead of his scheduled start Sunday against the Tigers due to an undisclosed reason, Lynn Worthy of The Kansas City Star reports.

The Royals announced Bailey's scratch just over a half hour before game time. Expect the team to provide further clarity on the rationale behind the decision later Sunday. Long reliever Brian Flynn will start in Bailey's stead in what likely amounts to a bullpen game for Kansas City.