Bailey is a voracious reader, keeping one book in his locker and a couple others in his room.

Since spring training began, he has been reading a book on the explorers Lewis & Clark, "And it's a tough read. A lot of it is in Old English because it comes from their journals. I have the worst spelling on Earth, but theirs is a lot worse. But they went a long ways on foot, didn't they?" he said.

Meanwhile, Bailey contemplates his journey with the Cincinnati Reds . Although he isn't ready to abdicate the No. 5 starting spot in the rotation to Micah Owings, it appears that is the case.

So do the Reds keep him and use him in long relief or do they send him to Class AAA Louisville and keep him rotation-ready?

First of all, even though Owings has been starting in major-league games and Bailey has been working on the minorleague backfields, manager Dusty Baker says not to read anything into that.

"It's not official yet, just because it's lined up," Baker said. "Owings has pitched well. He's pitched great. But it is a little premature to ask what we'll do with Bailey.

"We just can't give answers yet," he said. "Whatever it is, Homer is in our plans, big-time. Big-time. And what we like is how much progress he has shown this time over the past couple of years. That's what you need to see. Progress and maturity.

"Homer is getting it and he is figuring it out, that's what is big," Baker added. "I like his overall demeanor, his delivery and his outlook and mindset - that's the short evaluation."

Meanwhile, Bailey reads and keeps working.

"Good problems they have," he said. "It is a situation where I put my trust in Dusty Baker and Walt Jocketty. They've been in this situation more times than once.

"I like the path on which I've been going with the way I'm throwing and the way camp has been going," said the 22-yearold right-hander. "I've had some years of experience now," he said. "Once you start understanding things better, it becomes a bigger picture than tunnel vision."

Bailey was asked if he is concerned about staying sharp if he pitched in long relief.

"No, with as much experience as we have around here and their willingness to help each other, I think I'd learn to adapt real quick. It'll be new, but it is something I think I can do. It is just another phase of pitching."

On Sunday, a team of Tampa Bay irregulars scored 10 runs (seven unearned) on 14 hits over 4 2/3 innings against Bronson Arroyo and bounced the Reds, 11-2.