Rangers' Edinson Volquez: Placed on 45-day injured list
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Volquez was placed on the 45-day injured list Thursday with a right oblique strain.
Volquez was relatively effective out of the Rangers' bullpen to begin the season, but he should miss the rest of the regular season as a result of his oblique injury. It's certainly a devastating blow for the 37-year-old, who also missed most of the 2019 campaign with an elbow injury. He had initially intended to retire following the 2019 season, so it's safe to wonder if Volquez will take the mound in the majors again.
Volquez (1-1) earned the win Tuesday against the Mariners after pitching one-third of an inning, allowing one hit and striking out one.
Volquez only needed five pitches (four strikes) to get the win, as he allowed a single to Kyle Seager before striking out Austin Nola to close out the fifth inning. This was Volquez's fifth scoreless outing in seven appearances this season, but he still owns a 6.35 ERA in 5.2 innings in 2020.
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Rangers' Edinson Volquez: Charged with loss Tuesday
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Volquez (0-1) allowed three earned runs on a hit and two walks in one-third of an inning, taking the loss versus the Athletics on Tuesday.
Volquez loaded the bases with two walks and a single, then retired Robbie Grossman via a popout. Jesse Chavez was summoned to relieve Volquez, and it was Chavez who gave up the walk-off grand slam to Stephen Piscotty, but Volquez was stuck with the loss. The 37-year-old Volquez was recently mentioned as a closer candidate to replace Jose Leclerc (shoulder), but Tuesday's performance in a non-save situation could take him out of consideration in the short term.
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Rangers' Edinson Volquez: Could close games
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Texas manager Chris Woodward is leaning toward Volquez and Jonathan Hernandez as replacements for closer Jose Leclerc (shoulder), T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports.
Woodward is not designating one reliever to replace Leclerc, who is on the 45-day injured list, and will roll with a committee of arms. "The one thing I told this group from day one is there are no roles," Woodward said. "We don't have the luxury of saying we are going to put you in a role. I trust guys with experience, you look at Edinson Volquez. Jonathan Hernandez with his stuff, kind of come to mind. Those two guys could maybe take on that role." In addition to Volquez and Hernandez, the manager has Nick Goody, Ian Gibault and Brett Martin as candidates.
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Rangers' Edinson Volquez: Makes major-league roster
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Volquez was informed Saturday that he'll be on the roster for Opening Day, T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports.
After dealing with an elbow injury that sidelined him for most of 2019, Volquez signed a minor-league deal with the Rangers during the offseason. He apparently impressed enough in camp to earn a spot in the Rangers' bullpen to begin the season. The 37-year-old is unlikely to be used in high-leverage situations as a reliever, but he could be an option to fill in as a starter at some point if injuries occur.
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Rangers' Edinson Volquez: Included in roster pool
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The Rangers added Volquez to their 60-man roster pool Thursday.
Volquez and Juan Nicasio both joined the 60-man pool, bringing the Rangers' total to 57 men. The veteran right-hander missed a majority of the 2019 season with an elbow injury, as he logged a 6.75 ERA and 2.00 WHIP over 16 innings. Volquez was signed as an amateur free agent by the Rangers in 2001; 19 years later he will give Texas everything he's got left in the tank, though his days are likely numbered.
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Rangers' Edinson Volquez: Back with Rangers
Rotowire
Volquez signed a minor-league contract with the Rangers on Thursday as a non-roster invitee.
Volquez was sidelined for much of the 2019 campaign with an elbow injury, as he logged a 6.75 ERA with a 10:12 K:BB over 16 innings. The 36-year-old has been slightly more effective in the past and will get a chance to work in big-league camp during spring training. It wouldn't be surprising to see Volquez in the majors at some point in 2020, though his best days are likely behind him.
Volquez will open Tuesday's game against the Red Sox.
Volquez has given up just two runs in 6.2 innings since returning from an elbow injury at the start of September, though his 3:3 K:BB isn't particularly encouraging. Ariel Jurado is expected to follow him Tuesday.
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Rangers' Edinson Volquez: To open Tuesday
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Volquez will open Tuesday's game against the Yankees.
Volquez was activated from the injured list Sunday, and he'll toss the first inning or so before making way for the primary pitcher, Ariel Jurado.
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Rangers' Edinson Volquez: Activated from injury list
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Volquez (elbow) was reinstated off the 60-day injured list ahead of Sunday's 11-3 loss to the Mariners. He issued one walk and struck out a batter in a scoreless inning of relief.
Volquez broke camp as a member of the Texas rotation but lasted just two starts before being shut down with a serious right elbow sprain. Rather than undergoing another procedure on his elbow, Volquez opted to treat the injury through rest and rehab, which kept the door open for him to return in 2019 as a reliever. He was able to meet that goal and got the job done Sunday, but the Rangers probably won't summon him from the bullpen on too many more occasions in September with the 36-year-old already acknowledging that he plans to retire at the end of the season.
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Rangers' Edinson Volquez: Set to join roster Sunday
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Volquez (elbow) will be activated off the injured list and join the Rangers' roster Sunday, T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports.
This is largely a ceremonial move by the team. Volquez, who opened the season in the starting rotation but made just two starts before going down with a strained right elbow, has spent the summer rehabbing in hopes of pitching in the majors before he retires following the season. He will pitch in low-leverage situations over the final month.
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Rangers' Edinson Volquez: Rehab moves to Double-A
Rotowire
Volquez (elbow) will continue his rehab assignment Tuesday with Double-A Frisco.
He logged four appearances in the AZL, throwing exactly one inning in all four. Volquez remains on track to rejoin the big-league club when rosters expand in September. He will return as a low-leverage reliever.
Volquez (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment with the Rangers' Arizona League affiliate Wednesday.
Volquez made just two appearances this season before being sidelined with an elbow sprain in early elbow. He's expected to retire after the season but will apparently try to make it back for at least one more appearance before ending his career.
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Rangers' Edinson Volquez: Planning to retire after season
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Volquez (elbow) said he plans to retire following the season, Levi Weaver of The Athletic reports.
Volquez said that he wanted to retire after landing on the injured list with an elbow sprain in April, but the Rangers apparently asked him to stick around and mentor some of the team's younger pitchers, per Weaver. The veteran right-hander -- who completed a 35-pitch side session Saturday and is slated to throw live BP on Tuesday -- is still hoping to return in time to pitch out of the bullpen this season before calling it quits.
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Rangers' Edinson Volquez: Nearing rehab stint
Rotowire
Volquez (elbow) is expected to throw live batting practice Tuesday and could begin a rehab assignment shortly afterwards, Levi Weaver of The Athletic reports.
Volquez was cleared to start throwing side sessions in mid-July, and he's scheduled for two more bullpens over the weekend before tossing live batting practice Tuesday. If all goes according to plan, he'll embark on a rehab stint in the near future and is optimistic about his chances of joining the Rangers' bullpen within the next few weeks, per Weaver.
Volquez (elbow) has begun throwing bullpen sessions at the Rangers' spring training facility, T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports.
With the Rangers angling for a postseason berth and in need of starting pitching depth, Volquez could be an option for them in August. They could also add a starter from another team before the trade deadline.
Volquez (elbow) will make 25 throws at 65 feet as he begins a throwing program, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.
The report didn't specify the day when the throwing program would begin, but it would be safe to assume Wednesday or Thursday. Volquez, who was cleared to throw over the weekend, is on a program designed to have him pitching from a mound by mid-July, making him an option for the rotation by August.
