SAN DIEGO - After activating him on Thursday from the disabled list, the Reds took the next logical step on Friday and announced that Homer Bailey would be their starting pitcher vs. the Padres on Sunday.
It will be Bailey's first start in the Major Leagues for Cincinnati since April 23, 2015, before he needed Tommy John surgery on his right elbow.
Bailey made six rehab starts for Louisville, including on Monday when he threw 98 pitches over 4 1/3 innings. The Reds expected he would be ready for Sunday, but kept from officially committing until after the right-hander threw in his side bullpen session.
"He felt even better on the side than last time," Reds manager Bryan Price said. "I don't think there is anything standing in the way, no impediments to how he feels physically. He feels like he's sharp. He's got all his pitches available to him."
Bailey, 30, had surgery to repair a torn flexor mass tendon near the same elbow in August 2014. He made two starts last season before tearing the ulnar collateral ligament.