It certainly didn’t sound good this past week, and now the news is official:
RHP Homer Bailey to have "Tommy John" surgery. Is expected to return during the 2016 season.
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) May 1, 2015
As it was with Adam Wainwright, you don’t necessarily want to see opponents losing key players – but it’s a part of the game, and the implication for the Cubs is beneficial. Relative to other potential Wild Card contenders, the Cubs now face a slightly easier unbalanced schedule, especially if the Reds decide to sell off mid-season. As for the Central, itself, there’s likely not a huge impact here, since the Reds were unlikely to be serious contenders when all was said and done.