CINCINNATI -- Perhaps after this latest throwing session, Reds pitcher Anthony DeSclafani will finally be able to go out on a Minor League rehab assignment. DeSclafani, who is on the disabled list with a left oblique strain, threw two innings and 40 pitches Monday in a simulated game against Reds hitters.
There was no pain, and there were no issues.
"I felt good. I was happy with it," DeSclafani said. "I was mixing it up quite a bit. I was happy with the way everything was breaking and moving. Command is going to come as I pitch and get into games and get more repetition."
Ivan De Jesus, Scott Schebler and Tyler Holt took turns batting against DeSclafani, who threw 20 pitches in each inning.
"His slider was looking good, as always," De Jesus said.
What's next? Waiting for nothing to happen overnight. On April 6, after DeSclafani threw his previous simulated game without any problems, he felt some discomfort in his oblique later that night and reported it the next day. He was briefly shut down, and his timetable for returning was pushed back.
On Wednesday, DeSclafani threw a 45-pitch bullpen session at Wrigley Field and followed up with 30 pitches in the bullpen on Saturday at Busch Stadium. There were no problems either time.
"There's nothing that he does that brings back any sensation from my understanding," Reds manager Bryan Price said. "If he gets through [Tuesday], he should be ready to go out and make a couple of rehab outings."
The date and location of DeSclafani's pending rehab assignment were not revealed. He last pitched in a Spring Training game on March 24 vs. the Rangers.
"We have a tentative schedule that would include two rehab starts at a minimum," Price said. "It could get him stretched out to that 80-85 [pitch] neighborhood we like to get to by the end of Spring Training."
Worth noting
• Reds pitcher Homer Bailey (Tommy John surgery) returned to Cincinnati from extended spring training at Goodyear, Ariz., and he threw a bullpen session Monday at Great American Ball Park. Bailey threw between 35 and 40 pitches with no complications. He is tentatively slated to have three rehab assignment starts with Triple-A Louisville.