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Homer Bailey has strained knee

MLB, Cincinnati Reds, Chicago Cubs

CINCINNATI -- Cincinnati Reds pitcher Homer Bailey, who agreed to a $105 million contract before the season, left his start against the Chicago Cubs on Thursday in the sixth inning with pain in the patellar tendon of his right knee.

The right-hander was delivering a 1-2 pitch to Starlin Castro, but he didn't throw the ball while gingerly completing his motion. After a visit from trainer Paul Lessard and manager Bryan Price, during which Bailey pointed to a spot on the mound, he walked off the field and was replaced by the right-hander Sam LeCure.

He was officially diagnosed as having a strained knee, but is expected to make his next start after the All-Star break.

"The timing's good," manager Bryan Price told reporters, according to the team's website. "We can put him on the back end of the rotation coming out of the All-Star break. It sounds like he should be good to go by that time."

Bailey, who entered with an 8-5 record, allowed two hits and three runs with two walks and three strikeouts. He also hit two batters while throwing 71 pitches.

He had signed a six-year, $105 million contract with the Reds in February that included a mutual option for a seventh year.

The Reds had center fielder Billy Hamilton and second baseman Brandon Phillips leave Wednesday's victory over Chicago with injuries. They are day-to-day.

First baseman Joey Votto, who signed a $251.5 million, 12-year contract in 2012, was put on the disabled list Tuesday with a nagging thigh injury.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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