Edinson Volquez, Starting Pitcher

Date of Birth: 7/3/1983
Birthplace: Barahona, Dominican Republic

Edinson Volquez, starting pitcher, was first signed by the Texas Rangers in 2001. From 2003 through 2007, he pitched in the Rangers' minor league system, playing with the Rangers in just 20 games from 2005 through 2007.

The Rangers traded Volquez to the Cincinnati Reds in December, 2007. His first season with the Reds was a strong one with a career low ERA of 3.21. In 2008, he had career highs in games played (33), innings pitched (196.0), wins (17 to 6 losses), and strikeouts (206 to 93 walks). The following season, he had Tommy John surgery after pitching in nine games.

Volquez missed much of the 2010 season due to recovery from his surgery and a 50 game suspension for the use of PEDs. The following season, he spent time in the minor leagues, as well as pitching in 20 games with the Reds.

In December, 2011, the Reds traded Volquez to the San Diego Padres. He finished the 2012 season with an 11-11 record and a 4.14 ERA in 32 games. After 27 games with the Padres in 2013, he was released at the end of August. A day later, he was signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers. He finished the 2013 season with a 9-12 record and a 5.71 ERA in 27 games with the Padres and 6 games with the Dodgers.

In December, 2013, Volquez signed a contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He finished the 2014 season with a 13-7 record, 140 strikeouts to 71 walks, and a 3.04 ERA in 192.2 innings in 32 games.

Volquez signed a two-year contract with the Kansas City Royals in December, 2014. He finished the 2015 season with a 13-9 record, 155 strikeouts to 72 walks, and a 3.55 ERA in 200.1 innings in 34 games. In five postseason games, he pitched 28.2 innings and he gave up 18 hits, including 3 home runs, and 12 earned runs. He struck out 23 batters and walked 18.

In 2016, Volquez had a 5.37 ERA in 189.1 innings in 34 games. He had 10 wins to 11 losses and he struck out 139 batters and walked 76.

Volquez signed a two-year contract with the Miami Marlins on November 28, 2016. He spent time on the DL in 2017, limiting his playing time to 17 games. He finished the season with 4 wins and 8 losses, 81 strikeouts to 53 walks, and a 4.19 ERA in 92.1 innings.

The Marlins released Volquez on December 13, 2017. He signed a minor league contract with the Rangers on February 16, 2018. He spent the 2018 season on the DL.

Volquez spent time on the DL in 2019 with a right elbow sprain. He finished the season with a 6.75 ERA in 16.0 innings in 11 games.

Volquez spent most of the shortened 2020 season on the DL. He pitched just 5.2 innings in 7 games with the Rangers.

Volquez became a free agent on October 28, 2020. He didn't play professional baseball in 2021.

Career pitching statistics for Volquez through 2020 include:

• 294 games played
• 1,546.1 innings pitched
• 95-89 win-loss record
• 1,323 strikeouts to 735 walks
• 4.45 ERA

Personal Life

When Volquez signed with the Rangers in 2001, he used the name Julio Reyes. Two years later, immigration services discovered that his name was Edison Volquez. In 2007, Volquez had the Rangers add the "n" to his first name to reflect his birth name.

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Edinson Volquez
ESPN - Edinson Volquez