Cincinnati Reds pitcher Homer Bailey looked ready to return to the big leagues as he plowed through the Great Lakes Loons lineup in his six-inning rehab start for the Dayton Dragons on Wednesday.

Bailey allowed one hit (a 6th-inning double by Saige Jenco) and hit a batter (Cody Thomas in the 1st inning), but didn’t walk anyone in his six shutout innings. He struck out six batters.

The Dragons won the game 4-2.

Bailey’s Wednesday start went better than his last rehab appearance with the Dragons, in 2010. In that game he gave up three runs on four hits and a walk in four innings, struck out five batters, and took the loss.

As a Reds prospect in 2005, Bailey was assigned to Dayton and went 8-4 with a 4.43 ERA, 125 strikeouts and 62 walks in 103.2 innings. He made his major-league debut two years later.

Bailey underwent surgery in February to remove bone spurs from his right elbow.