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Edinson Volquez News & Rumors
Volquez to start Sunday against Rockies
September 10
Cincinnati Enquirer
"
Edinson Volquez's return to the Reds' rotation will come Sunday against the Colorado Rockies here at Coors Field, where ERAs go to rise. "This isn't an easy place to pitch in," Reds manager Dusty Baker said. "It's really a test. This is the one place where you really don't want to walk people." Walks are one of the big reasons Volquez was sent to Triple-A. He walked 55 in 85 innings with the Reds. Volquez, 28, aright-hander, did a much better job of throwing strikes at Louisville. He walked 29 in 87 1/3 innings. His strikeout rate was about the same. He struck out 85 with the Reds and 83 with the Bats.
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Edinson Volquez waiting patiently for return to Reds
August 10
Cincinnati Enquirer
"
Edinson Volquez sits patiently on the top dugout step at Louisville Slugger Field, waiting for an interviewer to approach. The familiar Volquez smile is there, as is the firm handshake. One noticeable difference between Volquez and his purple-and-black clad Louisville teammates is that Volquez, shortly before a recent Bats game, is wearing the red undershirt of the parent Cincinnati Reds. Which is where Volquez wants to be. Back with his former Reds teammates. Back in the majors. For now, the former All-Star pitcher works and waits. "They don't say anything about when I go back to the big leagues," Volquez said. "I'm happy down here because I know I need the work. Whenever they call me
"
Jocketty: No timetable for Volquez's return
July 19
Cincinnati Enquirer
"
Right-hander Edinson Volquez has been inconsistent since returning to Triple-A Louisville on July 7, with no indication when he might be recalled. Volquez has made two starts (0-0, 3.75 ERA) since being sent back to Louisville on July 7. In 12 innings, Volquez has walked five and struck out eight. "He will return when we are satisfied that he has accomplished and improved on the things we sent him down to work on," Reds general manager Walt Jocketty said Monday, via text message. "There is no timetable." Control has been a major issue for Volquez, but he did walk only one batter and had five strikeouts Sunday in his latest start. The start before, Volquez walked four and struck out three
"
Edinson Volquez aces test in return to Reds
June 8
Cincinnati Enquirer
"
It took 11 starts and a trip to the minors. But the Reds Opening Day starter finally pitched like an ace. Edinson Volquez went seven innings and allowed one run on seven hits to beat the Chicago Cubs 8-2 Tuesday before a crowd of 24,921 at Great American Ball Park on a hot, muggy night. Volquez (4-2) walked two and struck out five. He did not allow a runner to advance to second after the second inning. He threw 105 pitches, 61 strikes. He was still hitting 96 mph in the sixth inning. "He threw a great ballgame," Reds manager Dusty Baker said. "He got in trouble that one inning but got out of it. His command was much better. "He got deep in the ballgame. He was locating his fastball a lot
"
Volquez to start Tuesday, Leake Monday
June 5
Cincinnati Enquirer
"
Edinson Volquez will return from Triple-A and probably will start Tuesday against the Cubs, Reds manager Dusty Baker said Saturday. Mike Leake would now start Monday instead of Tuesday, with Chad Reineke bumped from his scheduled Monday start. "This is all in theory," Baker said. Baker said he talked Saturday with Mario Soto (special assistant to GM Walt Jocketty), who saw Volquez throw in Louisville.
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Volquez wins in Louisville
June 3
Cincinnati Enquirer
"
Edinson Volquez was the winning pitcher in Triple-A Louisville's 5-1 victory over Syracuse Thursday night. Volquez, making his second start for the Bats, pitched 6 2/3 innings, allowing one run on five hits. He walked four and struck out two. Volquez, the Reds' Opening Day starter, got a no-decision in his first start when he pitched 7 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on five hits. He struck out five and walked two.
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Volquez sent to minors to get his mind right
May 24
Cincinnati Enquirer
"
When word trickled out that the Reds had called up Todd Frazier, it was easy to conclude that a shakeup was about to take place. When all the moves were finally announced, it was clear that the Reds were merely trying to shake Edinson Volquez back into being a reliable pitcher. Volquez is being sent to the minors to get straightened out. The other moves were all related to that. Volquez and reliever Jordan Smith were sent out to make room for left-hander Matt Maloney and infielder/outfielder Frazier. Frazier's stay could be short. The Reds will probably make another move Friday to bring up a pitcher to take Volquez's turn in the rotation. Either Mike Leake or Chad Reineke will get that
"
What to do with Edinson Volquez?
May 24
Cincinnati Enquirer
columnist Paul Daugherty
"
The Reds don't know what to do with Edinson Volquez. They honestly don't. Great stuff. Gold fastball, platinum changeup. Former all-star. In 2008, Volquez went 17-6. The Reds traded Josh Hamilton to get him. It was the last time anyone thought that was a good idea. Since then, Volquez has flunked a drug test, been suspended 50 games and had mega-surgery on his pitching elbow. He looks at the first inning and sees nine Willie Mayses on the other team's lineup card. On Sunday in Cleveland, after getting bopped like a speed bag, Volquez decided the Reds need to hit better. His gall just threw 100 miles an hour. On Monday, the Reds optioned Volquez to Louisville, to locate his maturity. "He
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Volquez again puts Reds in big early hole
April 18
Cincinnati Enquirer
"
Edinson Volquez usually looks on the bright side, but the Reds pitcher admitted to a growing concern Sunday after yet another first-inning meltdown. Volquez put the Reds in a 4-0 hole in the first inning when, shades of Opening Day, he allowed homers to the first two Pittsburgh batters (Andrew McCutchen, Jose Tabata). The Reds rallied for a 5-4 lead by the fifth inning as Volquez settled down but eventually lost 7-6. Drew Stubbs flied out to center – with the bases loaded – to end the game. The always congenial Volquez smiled through much of his postgame interview, but admitted he must find a way to navigate the first inning. He now has a 29.25 ERA in the first inning and 1.93 thereafter,
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Volquez kept it together long enough
April 1
Cincinnati Enquirer
"
Edinson Volquez was in the trainer's room Thursday when Ramon Hernandez belted his clinching homer, which thrilled Volquez for two reasons. First, the homer gave the Reds a 7-6 win over Milwaukee. Second, Volquez was off the hook. Right-hander Volquez, in his first Opening Day start, became the first pitcher in 42 years to allow back-to-back home runs to start a season. Rickie Weeks and Carlos Gomez started the game with homers for Milwaukee. Volquez lasted six innings and allowed another solo homer, to Ryan Braun. Volquez was charged with five runs, as he threw 91 pitches. Volquez stood to take the loss until Hernandez intervened. "To give up two home runs in the first inning … it
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Volquez gets chance to prove he's No. 1
March 31
Cincinnati Enquirer
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Edinson Volquez is from the warm-weather Dominican Republic, and he just returned from spring training in Arizona. Thus, the snow Volquez encountered Wednesday in Cincinnati was a shock to the system. Regardless, the Reds right-hander said the weather will not affect him when he takes the ball for Opening Day at 2:10 p.m. against the Milwaukee Brewers at Great American Ball Park. Forecasts call for a chilly day (high of 47), albeit sunny. Snow drove the Brewers inside Wednesday during their scheduled afternoon workout at Great American. The Reds later appeared on the field briefly for some long toss. Both teams hit in the indoor cages. "Where we came from in Arizona, it was like 90
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Volquez unfazed by wildness
March 21
Cincinnati Enquirer
"
Edinson Volquez was his typically smiling, jovial self as he walked across the green outfield grass at Maryvale Baseball Park Sunday. Mostly, Volquez was glad that his bout of wildness had just come in a Cactus League game and not the regular season. The visiting Reds beat Milwaukee 9-8 but Volquez lasted only 2 1/3 innings, as he allowed five walks and five runs. Volquez and the Reds will face the Brewers for real March 31, on Opening Day. The good news for Reds fans Sunday was that Volquez reported no physical trouble, a day after fellow right-hander Johnny Cueto exited a game with a biceps ailment. As Volquez crossed the outfield and headed toward the team bus after Sunday's game, he
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Volquez gets down to work
March 11
Cincinnati Enquirer
"
Edinson Volquez got tired during his first outing of the spring. Not his arm, that was fine. But it's amazing Volquez didn't nod off in the dugout after his recent schedule. Volquez, the scheduled Opening Day starter, went 21/3 innings and gave up two runs (one earned) on two hits in Thursday's 7-0 loss to the San Francisco Giants. He walked two and struck out two. He threw 60 pitches. It was his first outing of the spring because of visa problems that forced him to return to the Dominican Republic. "I got a little tired," he said. "My arm felt strong. But my body got a little tired." Volquez spent Wednesday traveling. He left the Dominican at 7:30 a.m., flew to New York, and then caught a
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Volquez-Harang matchup scratched
March 9
Cincinnati Enquirer
"
Wednesday's Reds-San Diego Padres matchup was supposed to involve Reds' Opening Day starters past and future. It was supposed to be Edinson Volquez vs. Aaron Harang. Volquez is scheduled to start Opening Day 2011. Harang, of course, started the last five openers for the Reds. But Volquez did not arrive in time Tuesday for the Reds to commit to Wednesday's start. Volquez went to the Dominican Republic to obtain his work visa. "We were planning on him being here," Baker said. "If not, such is the game. You've got to adjust. We've adjusted the whole time." Journeyman right-hander Chad Reineke will start Wednesday. The plan is for Volquez to pitch Thursday in the same game Bronson Arroyo is
"
Volquez: Visa is waiting for me
March 4
Cincinnati Enquirer
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Opening Day starter Edinson Volquez believes his visa situation is resolved. "Everything is set," Volquez said. "They're just waiting for me to pick it up." Volquez said he will go the Dominican Republic Sunday and return to camp Tuesday. "I'll say hi to everyone then come back," he said. Volquez has not been allowed to pitch in games at which admission is charged because he entered the country on a travel visa rather than a work visa. The work visa was held up because Volquez failed a drug test and was suspended last year. Volquez threw 50 pitches in live batting practice Wednesday. "I think when I get back to camp, I'll jump in a game and throw four or five innings," he said.
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Edinson Volquez to miss Sunday's start because of visa issues
February 27
Cincinnati Enquirer
"
The Reds open the spring season at 1 p.m. Sunday. But it will be without Opening Day starter Edinson Volquez on the mound. Volquez was scheduled to start, but can't because of visa issues. In short, he's not allowed to play in front of paying fans without a work visa. The Reds went through the same thing with Timo Perez a few years ago. Volquez came to the U.S. on a travel visa. He'll likely have to return to the Dominican Republic to get a work visa. The Reds don't know when the problem will be resolved. "No clue," manager Dusty Baker said. "We tried to get it resolved before he got here." Volquez's visa was hung up because of his suspension for using a banned substance.
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Edinson Volquez named Reds' Opening Day starter
February 23
Cincinnati Enquirer
"
Edinson Volquez will get a chance to live up to his number on Opening Day. The Reds named Volquez, the 27-year-old right-hander, as the starter for the opening March 31 game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Great American Ball Park. Volquez wears No. 36. That's the same number as Mario Soto, who made six Opening Day starts in the 1980s. Soto mentioned starting Opening Day to Volquez last year. "He looked at the back of his jersey and said, 'hey, you better be a No. 1 starter,' " Volquez said. Soto is passing down the tradition. "Gaylord Perry told me when I was playing, 'if you're going to wear 36, you got to be good," Soto said. The Reds are counting on Volquez to be very good. Volquez
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Volquez gets the call for 'Opening Day'
February 22
Dayton Daily News
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Edinson Volquez is living up to his mentor's challenge and loving every millisecond of it. When Volquez walked into his first Cincinnati Reds spring training camp before the 2008 season, they handed him uniform No. 36, the same number worn by Mario Soto, one of Cincinnati's all-time great pitchers and now the team's roving minor-league pitching instructor. "When Soto saw that, he told me, 'You better be good. You better be great. Great pitchers wear that number." Said Volquez, "I was going to change it, change to '45,' but when Soto said that I decided to keep it." And he is living up to Soto's challenge. On Tuesday morning, Reds manager Dusty Baker announced that Volquez will be the
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Reds make Volquez deal official
February 1
Cincinnati Enquirer
"
Cincinnati Reds President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Walt Jocketty today announced the signing of RHP Edinson Volquez to a 1-year contract through the 2011 season. Volquez was eligible for arbitration for the first time. "We're glad we could avoid an arbitration hearing," said Jocketty. "We discussed both 1-year and multi-year deals, but both sides agreed this is the best option at this time." Volquez, 27, was the Reds' 2008 Most Outstanding Pitcher but in August 2009 was bothered by a right elbow injury that required "Tommy John" surgery to repair the torn ulnar collateral ligament.
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Edinson Volquez taking gamble with one-year deal
January 31
Cincinnati Enquirer
"
Edinson Volquez is taking a bit of a risk. The Reds offered him a multiyear deal, but he's only been interested in a one-year deal. Reds general manager Walt Jocketty said he hoped to have the deal wrapped up by Monday. Volquez's deal will likely be for $1.6 or $1.7 million. The Reds offered $1.3 million in arbitration; he countered at $2 million.
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Reds, Volquez agree to deal
January 30
Cincinnati Enquirer
"
MLB.com's Mark Sheldon reports that the Reds and pitcher Edinson Volquez have come to terms on a one-year deal. A signed deal has yet to be formally announced, according to Sheldon. From Sheldon's story: ESPN Deportes reported Saturday that the deal would likely be for $1.6 million to avoid arbitration. Reds general manager Walt Jocketty had originally hoped to sign Volquez to a multiyear contract — like he had with several others this winter — but he wasn't disappointed.
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Reds and Volquez working on deal?
January 27
Yahoo! Sports
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The Cincinnati Reds could be going to arbitration with starting pitcher Edinson Volquez, but GM Walt Jocketty is saying "he's sure they'll get a one-year deal done" before then, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. The paper reports that the two sides are still trying to work out a multiyear contract extension as well. The 27-year-old had a difficult year last season. First he was suspended for 50 games due to testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs.
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Volquez: Overshadowed, underwhelming
October 7
Cincinnati Enquirer
"
Reds pitcher Edinson Volquez has one consolation, if small, as the losing pitcher to Roy Halladay in the Phillies' 4-0 no-hit win here Wednesday. Consolation? Someday, Volquez will be a largely forgotten footnote in the baseball trivia world. For instance, who was the losing pitcher when the Yankees' Don Larsen threw a perfect game against the Brooklyn Dodgers (1956) in the only other postseason no-hitter? (Answer follows later in this story. And yes, you could stump most baseball fans with that one.) For now, Volquez realizes that he needed to be much better than he pitched Wednesday. Volquez lasted only 1 2/3 innings and allowed all four Phillies runs before being pulled. Volquez said
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Baker admires Volquez's cool
October 6
Cincinnati Enquirer
"
Depending on the vantage point, one could regard the choice of Edinson Volquez as the Reds starter in today's Game 1 of the National League Division Series at Citizens Bank Park as inspired, uninspired, calculated or just plain dumb. But who can possibly know how it might turn out until the game is well under way? Fact is, Reds manager Dusty Baker could have made an equally good, and perhaps even better, case for left-hander Travis Wood or the well-seasoned Bronson Arroyo. What Baker has done is give his team the equivalent of a puncher's chance by choosing Volquez (4-3, 4.31 ERA) to go head-to-head with Phillies' ace Roy Halladay (20-10, 2.44 ERA) in the opener. If things go according to
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Reds' Volquez ready to have fun against the Phillies in Game 1
October 6
Philly.com
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There may be no shortcuts on the road toward a big game, but it certainly seems that Cincinnati's Edinson Volquez went to the extreme to get to the pitcher's mound for Wednesday's Game 1 of the NL division series against the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. In April, the 27-year-old righthander was eight months into recovery from elbow reconstruction - or Tommy John - surgery when he became the first player in 2010 to be suspended for use of a performance-enhancing drug. Volquez served the 50-game suspension while on the disabled list. Last month, when the Reds suspected Volquez was tipping off his pitches, he was sent to single-A Dayton to work on his mechanics with the hope it would help
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Playoff rotation set for Reds: Volquez, Arroyo, Cueto
October 3
Cincinnati Enquirer
"
The Reds' playoff pitching rotation will be Edinson Volquez, Bronson Arroyo and Johnny Cueto, in that order. That was the word today from manager Dusty Baker in his pre-game media session. Volquez was named the Game 1 starter on Saturday. Baker announced Arroyo and Cueto today. Regarding Arroyo: "A little softer," Baker said. Meaning, a softer thrower in the middle of hard-throwing Volquez and Cueto.
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Volquez to start Reds' playoff opener
October 3
Cincinnati Enquirer
"
Manager Dusty Baker revealed after Saturday's game that right-hander Edinson Volquez will start the Reds' playoff opener next week. Right-hander Aaron Harang, bumped to the bullpen earlier this month, will start the regular season finale against Milwaukee Sunday in place of Volquez. Harang's last start was Sept. 6 and he since has made only two relief appearances, most recently Sept. 22. Baker would not reveal any of his other playoff starters, saying he probably will announce that Sunday. Speculation is that Harang will not be on the postseason roster, but Baker will not comment on that. Volquez had Tommy John elbow surgery on Aug. 3, 2009. He made his 2010 season debut on July 17, and
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Volquez blows away Brewers
September 22
Cincinnati Enquirer
"
Of all the moves the Reds have made this year, the one that could pay off the most is sending Edinson Volquez to Dayton to get his mechanics straightened out. Volquez has been a different pitcher since returning, a pitcher who could very well help the Reds in the postseason. Volquez pitched eight innings of one-run ball to beat the Milwaukee Brewers 4-3 Tuesday night before a crowd of 22,761 at Miller Park. Volquez allowed three hits, struck out six, walked four and recorded 16 groundball outs. He threw 108 pitches, 67 strikes. "That's as good as it gets right there," Baker said. "He was outstanding, dotting that fastball, 94 to 96. He had an excellent breaking ball and a very good
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Volquez to pitch Saturday; Harang to bullpen
September 11
Cincinnati Enquirer
"
Edinson Volquez was reinstated to the Reds' rotation and will start tonight, with Aaron Harang bumped to the bullpen. "He handled it very professionally," Reds manager Dusty Baker said of Harang. "It's a very unusual situation for him and for us. He'll come in and give us a couple innings here and there." Harang has been a starter almost exclusively since arriving in the majors with Oakland in 2002. Since joining the Reds via trade on July 30, 2003, Harang has started 212 times in 214 appearances. Harang was not at his locker Friday during the time reporters were allowed in the clubhouse. Harang was scheduled to start tonight. The Reds had mulled a switch since Harang allowed four runs in
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Volquez could replace Harang in rotation
September 8
Cincinnati Enquirer
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The Reds recalled Edinson Volquez from Single-A Dayton Tuesday. That means nothing. Volquez pitched Monday, so he won't be ready again for five days. Five days from now is Saturday. Could Volquez pitch then? "He could, yeah," Reds manager Dusty Baker said. That means something. Saturday is Aaron Harang's next scheduled start. Baker has various ways of answering hypothetical questions. Saying Volquez could start is pretty close to putting his name on the lineup card. "'Volqie' threw well down there," Baker said. "Other than getting hit in the butt by a line drive anything went well." Baker said the Reds were going to have to make a call on Harang after the right-hander's start Monday. He
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Volquez sent down, Nix to DL
September 1
Cincinnati Enquirer
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The Reds made one very conventional move and one very unconventional move to open a roster spots Tuesday. To make room for Aroldis Chapman and Aaron Harang, the Reds placed Laynce Nix on the 15-day disabled list and optioned Edinson Volquez to Single-A Dayton. Why send Volquez, a former All-Star and 17-game winner to Dayton? Because he can return sooner. If the Reds optioned him to Louisville, he would have to stay in the minors 10 days or until the Bats' season ends. Dayton's season ends Monday. Volquez could be back shortly thereafter and could be on the playoff roster. The Reds moved Volquez to the bullpen after two bad starts. "He was in the 'pen simply because he wasn't pitching
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Wood to start Sunday instead of Volquez
August 29
Cincinnati Enquirer
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Edinson Volquez was bumped Saturday from his scheduled start Sunday, and it appears likely that Aaron Harang indeed will start Tuesday for the Reds. The Reds will send the struggling Volquez to the bullpen to work on mechanical issues, and that move triggered several other pitching maneuvers Saturday. Travis Wood will move up a day to start Sunday's game. Homer Bailey was moved up from Tuesday, and will start Monday. The Tuesday slot is still listed TBA by the Reds, but will that be Harang? "Good chance, but right now it's still blank," manager Dusty Baker said. "But there's a pretty good chance." Harang, disabled since July 6 with lower back strain, was 0-2 with a 9.00 in two recent rehab
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What to do with Volquez?
August 25
Cincinnati Enquirer
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The Reds have not committed to right-hander Edinson Volquez for his next start. "I had (pitching coach Bryan Price) come up with two or three different scenarios," Reds manager Dusty Baker said. "Do we continue with him and hope he gets it or do we put him in the bullpen and start someone else?" Volquez lasted only two outs and allowed five runs Monday night in the Reds' 11-2 loss to the San Francisco Giants. He allowed five runs in 4 1/3 innings in his previous outing. "He's either missing or getting the ball over the heart of the plate," Baker said. Volquez is coming back from Tommy John elbow surgery. "We know he's going to get there," Baker said. Baker has often said that the second
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Volquez recovery still work in progress
August 2
Cincinnati Enquirer
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The Reds couldn't afford a serious false step by starter Edinson Volquez (2-1) in Sunday's game against the Atlanta Braves. He had to give them at least a good five innings, get the ball to the bullpen without too many runs to go along with it, and give the middle and short men a fighting chance. It was a tall order, judging from Volquez's last two outings. His first start in the majors last month since Tommy John surgery had been scintillating - nothing short of miraculous in light of the year-and-a-half it takes most elbow-ligament replacement hurlers to return to pre-injury form. But the last two starts after that first start served to remind everybody that Volquez is still very much a
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Nats pound Volquez, beat Reds 7-1
July 23
Cincinnati Enquirer
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The Reds seemed poised to close out a very nice homestand on Thursday. That is, right up until Edinson Volquez took the mound and started throwing. "I was all over the place," Volquez said. However, the Cardinals also lost Thursday, keeping them a game and a half in front of the Reds in the Nationial League Central race. After being semi-brilliant in his first start back (six innings, one run), Volquez was downright bad in his second. He went 26 1/3 innings, allowing six runs on five hits, striking out four and walking four as the Reds fell to the Washington Nationals 7-1 before a crowd of 23,115 on sweltering day at Great American Ball Park. The Reds closed out the homestand with
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Volquez starts for Reds Saturday
July 17
Cincinnati Enquirer
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Edinson Volquez takes the ball for the Reds Saturday night for the first time since June 1, 2009. Right-hander Volquez had Tommy John elbow surgery last Aug. 3, and has returned ahead of schedule. Volquez was an All-Star in 2008 but made only nine starts in 2009. "It will probably feel like the first time ever," Volquez said of his emotions. "I'm excited. I don't know how I'm going to feel out there." Volquez in six rehab starts (Lynchburg, Louisville), Volquez went 4-0 with a 1.45 ERA in 31 innings. He was hitting 97 mph on the radar gun and has been pain-free. "I don't feel anything in my arm," Volquez said Friday. "It's like nothing happened." The typical Tommy John recovery time is
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Edinson Volquez's return could boost Reds
July 15
Cincinnati Enquirer
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Missing out on acquiring pitcher Cliff Lee was a blow to psyche of the Reds camp. Adding an ace just before the second half of the season begins would have been a tremendous boost for the team as it tries to keep its grip on first place in the National League Central. But the Reds are getting close to adding a pitcher. Sometime over the next five days - probably Saturday - right-hander Edinson Volquez will rejoin the rotation. "We're adding a borderline ace from our organization," left fielder Jonny Gomes said. "That's big." Volquez, 27, a right-hander, is returning ahead of schedule from Aug. 3 "Tommy John" ligament-replacement surgery on his throwing elbow. He was dominant in his
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Edinson Volquez looks ready to return
July 10
Cincinnati Enquirer
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Edinson Volquez, recovering from Tommy John elbow surgery 11 months ago, made his fourth and what is expected to be his final rehab start for Triple-A Louisville on Friday as the Bats blanked the Toledo Mud Hens, 3-0. Volquez pitched seven shutout innings and didn't allow a hit until the top of the sixth. It was his only hit surrendered on the evening. He walked three, hit a batter and struck out nine. "Tonight was a strong outing and I think I'm ready to go," Volquez told The Louisville Courier-Journal. "I've been out for nearly one year and it's time to go back. I'm excited to go back to a team that is in a pennant race." It seems highly unlikely the Reds are going to keep Volquez down
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Volquez goes five in latest rehab start
July 5
Cincinnati Enquirer
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Right-hander Edinson Volquez pitched five innings for Triple-A Louisville Sunday night in the Bats' 4-2 victory at Indianapolis, in what could be his final rehab start before he rejoins the Reds. Volquez allowed two earned runs on four hits and was credited with the victory. He struck out four and walked three. He also had a wild pitch. He threw 87 pitches, 46 for strikes. Reds general manager Walt Jocketty has said that Volquez will be re-evaluated to see if he will return to the majors or go on another rehab start. Regardless, Volquez expects to be back with the Reds before the All-Star break, which starts July 12. Volquez had Tommy John elbow surgery in August 2009 and went on the
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Next step for Volquez is Sunday
July 2
Cincinnati Enquirer
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Right-hander Edinson Volquez is scheduled to make his next rehab start Sunday for Triple-A Louisville at Indianapolis, Reds general manager Walt Jocketty said. Volquez had been listed to start Monday, but Jocketty said Volquez did not need an extra day. Volquez is rehabilitating from Tommy John ligament replacement elbow surgery from last August, and he is ahead of schedule with his return. "He'll start Sunday, and then we'll re-evaluate whether he makes another start there or for us," Jocketty said. Reds manager Dusty Baker said Volquez has not had any setbacks, but the team wants to play it smart. "We want to make sure he's ready and strong," Baker said. Volquez was 1-0 and was unscored
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Volquez has another quality rehab start
June 30
Cincinnati Enquirer
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Reds right-hander Edinson Volquez, on the 60-day disabled list recovering from Tommy John (elbow) surgery, made another minor-league rehab start Tuesday night for Triple-A Louisville. In six innings, he allowed two earned runs on three hits, including a solo home run. He walked two while striking out seven.
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Edinson Volquez return getting closer
June 24
Cincinnati Enquirer
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The Reds made – or at least announced – three pitching decisions before the taking the field Wednesday against the Oakland A's: 1. Rookie right-hander Mike Leake will be skipped for his next start. Leake was supposed to start Sunday against Cleveland. He'll start Tuesday against Philadelphia instead. 2. Right-hander Edinson Volquez, who threw five innings of one-run ball in a rehab start for Triple-A Louisville, probably will not return until after the July 12-15 All-Star break. 3. Cuban left-hander Aroldis Chapman will get a look in the bullpen. Chapman pitched in relief of Volquez Wednesday. He allowed one run on two hits, walked one and struck out three. With Leake, it's a matter of
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Volquez' next rehab start set for Thursday
June 14
Cincinnati Enquirer
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Right-hander Edinson Volquez could rejoin the Reds in about a month, if things go as planned. Volquez is rehabilitating from Tommy John elbow surgery Aug. 3. Volquez threw 44 pitches in a three-inning scoreless stint Saturday for Single-A Lynchburg, and will start again Thursday for Lynchburg. Volquez told a Lynchburg ABC-TV affiliate that he expects to make two starts in High A, two in Double-A and two in Triple-A before rejoining the Reds in about a month. Reds general manager Walt Jocketty said that is the basic plan, based on the next 30 days. "Right now it's a matter of getting his pitch count up toward 100," Jocketty said. "We want him to do that two or three times before he comes
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Reds pitcher Edinson Volquez suspended 50 games for using banned substance
April 21
Cincinnati Enquirer
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Pitcher Edinson Volquez's 50-game suspension that was announced by Major League Baseball on Tuesday will hit him hard in the wallet, but it will have little effect on the Reds. Volquez is in Goodyear, Ariz., rehabbing from Aug. 3 "Tommy John" surgery. He'll be allowed to continue to do so. "He can do everything he's been doing," Reds general manager Walt Jocketty said. "He just can't play in a game." Volquez will not be ready to pitch until mid-July at the earliest. His suspension will end June 13. "When he's ready to pitch, he should be able to pitch," Jocketty said. "He's still on track probably for the end of July. That's kind of what the estimate was. When he's ready to pitch in games,
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Reds pitcher Volquez's rehab going well
February 19
Cincinnati Enquirer
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Reds right-hander Edinson Volquez, coming back from Aug. 3 ligament replacement surgery, says he feels great. "I was a little scared the first day," he said. "But after that, it's been normal. I threw from 130 feet yesterday." Volquez is throwing every other day. He's holding out hope of coming back early.
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Volquez could miss 12 months
August 4
Cincinnati Enquirer
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Edinson Volquez's surgery was about as serious as "Tommy John" surgery gets. There's a chance Volquez, a 26-year-old right-hander, won't return to form until 2011. The ulnar collateral ligament was almost completely torn. He also had a tear in the flexor mass. "It's going to be approximately 12 months because he had to have the ligament reconstructed and flexor mass repaired," Reds trainer Mark Mann said. "He will come back and pitch in the second half of next year. "It will most likely be 2011 before you see the old Edinson Volquez is back." Volquez went on the disabled list June 2. The reason the surgery wasn't performed until Monday is the previous MRIs were inconclusive. "Both MRIs -
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Volquez making progress slowly, surely
July 23
Cincinnati Enquirer
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Joey Votto spoke with Edinson Volquez a bit, and then wanted a report from Reds pitching coach Dick Pole. "He threw at 72 percent," Pole said of Volquez. "What's he going to be, a September call-up?" Votto said. Votto was having some fun with Volquez, but the Reds pitcher is discovering how serious an undertaking it is to come back at midseason after being shut down for six weeks because of tendinitis in his right elbow. Volquez, a 26-year-old right-hander, probably will return to the Reds in the second week of August. He had his second mound session Wednesday and .threw 45 pitches - all fastballs - at about three-quarters speed. "It felt great," Volquez said. "No pain or anything. I
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Tatum recalled; Volquez progressing
July 21
Cincinnati Enquirer
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Craig Tatum thanked Reds manager Dusty Baker for all the playing time he got at spring training. "He didn't have to do that," Tatum said. But Baker's motive was not entirely altruistic. "In that catching position, there was a good chance we were going to need him," Baker said. That time came Monday when Ramon Hernandez was placed on the disabled list with inflammation in his left knee. Tatum, 26, was called up from Louisville to take Hernandez's roster spot. Tatum was the club's third-round pick in the 2004 draft. He was rated the organization's best defensive catcher last year. "I liked him a lot in spring," Baker said. "I was surprised to see his average wasn't higher at Louisville with
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Volquez closer to rehab assignment
July 21
Dayton Daily News
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It was show time and Edinson Volquez was scrambling around his locker, tossing aside t-shirts and shorts and socks and mumbling, "Where's my spikes? Been so long since I work 'em I can't find 'em." He found them and was he laced them on he said, "Whoa, they feel tight. But I'll make 'em work." Then Volquez walked to the Dodger Stadium visitors' bullpen with pitching coach Dick Pole for his first on-the-mound session since he went on the disabled list June 2. "I directed him to the mound and showed him which direction to throw," said Pole. Volaquez threw 30 pitches, "At about 67 percent effort," said Pole. "He threw with no effort and no distress. I was surprised how well he located after
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