Reds starting pitcher Sonny Gray's next start has been delayed by at least two days as a precautionary measure, in order to give him extra rest between outings.

Gray, who was scheduled to pitch Sunday in Pittsburgh, will now start one of the Reds’ games in Chicago, where they’ll play next Tuesday through Thursday. The exact game Gray will start vs. the Cubs will be determined later, and the Reds have not yet announced who will start Sunday in Gray’s place.

Manager David Bell said Friday that the decision to push Gray’s start back is not injury-related, but given the results of the right-hander’s most recent outing on Tuesday against the Cardinals, the Reds want to make sure he is fully rested, and to not rush him.

“His arm didn’t hurt, but nothing was coming out the way he’s used to,” Bell said. “We just want to make sure, given everything that he’s dealt with and all our players have dealt with this season, just make sure he has enough time to get rejuvenated for his next start and not rush that.”

Gray allowed six runs over two-thirds of an inning in that start vs. the Cardinals. He faced 10 batters and threw 38 pitches.

“I made it through the Cardinals start and the Milwaukee start, and I could just feel ... my body was getting a little worn down,” Gray said. “Physically, I feel okay. Just [need] a [couple of days for a] breather, get on the mound, then finish the strongest possible.”

Gray’s ineffectiveness in the St. Louis start was an aberration compared to the rest of his outings this season; prior to that, he had allowed more than two runs in only one start.

Even with the poor outing, his 3.19 ERA is the 12th lowest in the National League, and his 1.18 WHIP is tied for 14th lowest.

“He’s been so good for us for a year and a half,” Bell said. “He’s gone deep into games. He’s healthy. He’s even healthier this year than he was last year. We want to make sure we keep it that way. We don’t like pushing anyone back this time of year given the season and everything, but at least we will have him in Chicago, which is a good thing.”

The Reds entered their doubleheader with the Pirates Friday five games under .500, but with the expanded postseason format, they’re not that far out of contention for the second spot in the division. Should they reach October, the Reds' trio of Gray, Trevor Bauer and Luis Castillo would put them in a favorable position in a short series.

But they’ll need all of their weapons, and that includes Gray. Taking precautionary measures now could pay dividends later, and the Reds also understand they need to protect Gray’s long-term value as a starting pitcher.

“That's his livelihood, and everything kind of hinges on how his arm feels,” Bell said. “It’s easy to blow it out of proportion, but I don't have any concerns. I think it's a really good decision, one that isn’t easy to make, because we want him pitching as many times as we can the rest of the way. But it's just the one that I had to make, and he definitely understands it.”

Worth noting
• First-base coach Delino Deshields will not be with the team in Pittsburgh this weekend after leaving to tend to a personal matter. Outfield and baserunning coordinator Willie Harris, who has been coaching at the Reds’ alternate site at Prasco Park, will coach first base in Deshields’ place.

• The Reds' taxi squad for the road trip through Pittsburgh, Chicago and St. Louis includes five players: pitchers Jose DeLeon and Sal Romano; infielder Alex Blandino; catcher Tyler Stephenson; and outfielder Travis Jankowski. DeLeon was added as the club’s 29th man for Friday’s doubleheader.

• Pitcher Pedro Strop, who was designated for assignment on Aug. 26, was given his outright release on Wednesday.