Reds' Homer Bailey feels good after first bullpen

GOODYEAR, Ariz. - Reds right-hander Homer Bailey joked that it was all "sunshine and rainbows" after his 20-pitch bullpen session on Friday, but all jocularity aside, it was a big day for Bailey after coming off September forearm surgery.

"I've been looking forward to it, really," Bailey said. "Even in the offseason, playing catch and stuff, you see guys throw bullpens and in your mind, you think you can still do it. Getting out of a brace the first time, you think you can walk on the mound and throw, and that's not necessarily the case. It was kind of really rewarding, it felt really good."

Bailey threw 20 pitches under the supervision of manager Bryan Price, general manager Walt Jocketty, pitching coach Jeff Pico, head trainer Paul Lessard and much of the Reds' front office.

While Bailey had thrown, Friday was the first time off the mound. He underwent surgery to repair a torn flexor mass in his right forearm on Sept. 5, ending a disappointing 2014 season for him and the team.

Price has said the team isn't counting on Bailey to be ready for Opening Day, or even the first two series, but it is still early enough in spring that Bailey — if all stays on schedule — will pitch in games during spring training. Johnny Cueto is scheduled to pitch Opening Day against the Pirates on April 6, with Mike Leake slotted for the season's second game on April 8.

"I would say probably about 95 percent of our pitchers have thrown off the mound before coming to Goodyear," Price said. "Some veteran guys know how to get their arm in shape and may initiate their mound stuff when they get to spring training. Homer on average is four bullpens deep when he gets to spring training.

"That kind of tells you where he is. He's behind the others. We'll see how it goes. We'll probably have a minimum of four bullpens, maybe five before he gets to live batting practice and then we'll re-assess."

Price added: "We will not rush him back. I don't think we're expecting him for Opening Day."

Although it was just 20 pitches, Bailey said he felt good throwing — even though he put one pitch in the dirt and loudly exclaimed his displeasure.

"There were a few of them that came out really good, I'm not going to say that I 100 percent got after it, especially the first time," Bailey said. "I just kind of have to ease into it. Everything was pretty free and easy, and everyone else thought it looked good and to me it felt all right. It's one step at a time, cross that one off the board."

The next bullpen will be the biggest test, he said.

"One time off the mound, let's see how it bounces back after maybe the third or fourth time off the bullpen, we'll have a better idea of where we're at — as the numbers start adding up," Bailey said.