CHICAGO –Medical news ranged from positive to promising to status quo for the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday.
Second baseman Brandon Phillips was back in the starting lineup after Tuesday’s scary collision with Chicago Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro that led to his a departure due to lightheadedness.
Right-hander Homer Bailey worked a bullpen session prior to the Reds’ series finale against the Cubs and in on track to make his season debut on Saturday against the Cardinals in St. Louis.
“I don’t anticipate any issues,” said Reds manager Bryan Price. “I would expect that he’ll pitch on Saturday.”
Bailey started the season on the disabled list as he continued recovery from offseason surgery to repair a torn flexor tendon in his forearm.
But there was little new to report on catcher Devin Mesoraco, who remained in Cincinnati for more treatment on an injured left hip.
“That gives him today and tomorrow to be out at Beacon Medical getting his treatment and getting worked on at a facility with our people there,” Price said. “And then we’ll reassess when he gets done with his workout tomorrow, kind of see where he is and if he’s ready to play or if we have to look at different options.”
Phillips was checked out for concussion symptoms and passed tests late on Tuesday.
“He came in today feeling really great,” Price said.
Phillips went 2-for-4 on Wednesday and extended his hitting streak to four games.
The Reds recalled right-hander Pedro Villarreal from Triple-A Louisville while optioning optioned right-hander Josh Smith to Triple-A. Villarreal entered Wednesday’s game in the seventh inning in relief.
