MIAMI -- Reds right-hander Homer Bailey continues to incrementally creep closer to a return from Tommy John surgery. In his third rehab assignment start for Triple-A Louisville on Thursday, Bailey allowed two earned runs on six hits (one homer) with no walks and one strikeout over 3 2/3 innings.
Of the 51 pitches Bailey threw, 36 were strikes.
"It sounds like he felt pretty good," Reds manager Bryan Price said on Friday. "He threw the ball over the plate. He gave up a few hits and a couple of runs, but that's a distant second to how he felt. It sounds like things are getting better."
In his previous outing, Bailey went two innings without issue, but the reports Price saw were that the right-hander felt he lacked electricity and feel for his pitches despite good velocity and throwing strikes. This time, he reported progress in that area.
"Right now, he's not having any setbacks," Price said. "There's no reason to think things won't continue as scheduled."
Bailey, who underwent elbow surgery in May 2015, will get a minimum of two more starts with Louisville before the club considers activation. That sets up a possible return to the big leagues later this month.
While the Reds wouldn't mind if Bailey's results were stronger heading into his debut for them, it's a not a must on their checklist.
"You certainly would like the pitchers that are about to be activated to feel they -- No. 1, feel healthy and No. 2, be productive," Price said. "In Homer's case, he already knows how to pitch. There's nothing new about that. I think everyone would like him to come off of some good starts before he is activated. I don't think it's a prerequisite. I think if he's throwing the ball, commanding it and throwing strikes when he's physically ready and the training staff and medical staff sign off on it, he'll be activated."
Worth noting
• Reds All-Star left fielder Adam Duvall, who was selected on Thursday to participate in the 2016 T-Mobile Home Run Derby at Petco Park, has decided who will throw to him in Monday's contest.
It will be Tony Padilla, a part-time coach and batting-practice pitcher from Triple-A Sacramento. Duvall played for Sacramento in the Giants' system before he was traded to the Reds on July 31, 2015, for pitcher Mike Leake.
"He came out every day and threw BP to us," Duvall said of Padilla on Friday. "I thought it'd be pretty cool to get a chance to do this. I called him last night and asked him."
• Right-hander Tim Adleman (strained left oblique) will make a rehab start for Louisville on Saturday. Adleman's first outing was for the Arizona League team in Goodyear.
• Outfielder Yorman Rodriguez, who has been out all season with a left hamstring injury, has been sent to Class A Daytona for a rehab assignment.