The Cincinnati Reds suffered a big blow when starting pitcher Homer Bailey was lost for the season with an elbow injury. Bailey figured to be a guy who would at least give a solid start every five days, even if he wasn’t spectacular.

Cincinnati had to dip into its farm system to find a replacement for Bailey. The Reds picked Michael Lorenzen, a 23-year-old right-hander, to fill Bailey’s spot in the rotation.

Lorenzen made his first start last week against the Milwaukee Brewers. Naturally, Lorenzen showed some nerves in his first major league start, giving up eight hits, including three home runs, in five innings. He suffered the loss in that game.

But on Tuesday night in Pittsburgh, Lorenzen seemed to settle in and he looked like the pitcher the Reds hope he can be. Lorenzen got his first career win in a 7-1 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates, and he looked good in doing so. Lorenzen pitched six innings, giving up just three hits, walking three and striking out four while giving up just one earned run.

Lorenzen is one of the arms for the future in the Reds organization. While Cincinnati is using him at the major league level sooner than they had hoped, Lorenzen appears to have the game to go with the hype surrounding him.

If Lorenzen can become a regular contributor in the Reds’ rotation, Cincinnati will have a solid rotation. With Johnny Cueto, Mike Leake and Anthony DeSclafani all pitching well, the Reds not only have a solid rotation, but a solid young rotation. And that can only bode well for the Reds’ future.

Tim Letcher is a Featured Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @TimLetcher , on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

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