As many of you already know, the Dodgers signed recently released Padres starting pitcher Edinson Volquez.
Per Ken Rosenthal on twitter a couple of days ago.
Source: #Dodgers agree with Volquez on major-league deal, pending physical, other details. #Padres pay all but pro-rated min of his $5.725M.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) August 29, 2013
Well, he is now officially a Dodger. Volquez was placed on the the Dodgers roster this afternoon and Chris Withrow has been temporarily optioned to Albuquerque. I say temporarily because the MLB rosters expand on September 1st, so I would expect Withrow to be back in Dodger Blue very quickly. (UPDATE: For those wondering, the earliest Withrow can be back on the Dodgers is Tuesday) (UPDATE II: Also, even with Withrow going to AAA at this time, he would still qualify for the postseason. The rules are that anybody within the Dodgers organization by August 31st is eligible for the postseason roster. So, theoretically, Moylan, Guerra and Lee are also eligible.)
As for what Volquez will be doing for us, it doesn't appear he'll be starting games - at least for now. Per Bill Shaikin on twitter:
Colletti: Volquez to pitch in pen for now.
— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) August 30, 2013
Eric Stephen of True Blue LA on twitter expands even futher:
Plan for Edinson Volquez: pitch in bullpen first. Possibly make a few starts. "He's been a starter," said Mattingly
— Eric Stephen (@truebluela) August 30, 2013
Volquez has arguably been the worst starting pitcher in all of Baseball this season, so he obviously has a lot to work on. He throws 4 pitches, a low to mid 90's fastball, a two-seam fastball that clocks also in the low 90's, a mid 80's changeup and a mid 70's curveball. Unfortunately, command of those pitches have been an issue. Hopefully, the Dodgers pitching staff can correct his problems.
BTW, as Howard Cole of LA Weekely noted, Edinson Volquez once tested positive for PED's back in 2008. I should also note that Volquez used to have really crazy hair, as evidenced by the below photo from his time as a member of the Reds. Considering the loose styles in the current Dodger clubhouse, I think a change in grooming might be in order for our new righty out of the pen. Grow the dew back, Edinson!
As you can see, I made a Dodgers fantasy card for Volquez at the very top of this post. I used a template for a 1962 Topps vintage Baseball card.
Below are his career stats, via Baseball Reference.
UPDATE: From a Dodgers Press Release:
The Los Angeles Dodgers today signed free agent right-handed pitcher Edinson Volquez to a one-year contract. To make room for Volquez on the active roster, the club optioned right-handed pitcher Chris Withrow to Triple-A Albuquerque.
Volquez, 30, has a 53-50 career record with a 4.77 ERA in nine Major League seasons with the Rangers (2005-07), Reds (2008-11) and Padres (2012-13). The native of the Dominican Republic was selected as a National League All-Star with Cincinnati in 2008, when he ranked among the league leaders in wins (17, T-3rd), winning percentage (.739, 17-6, T-3rd), ERA (3.21, 8th), opponents' batting average (.232, 5th) and strikeouts (206, T-2nd).
The six-foot, 225-pounder, who was the Padres' Opening Day starter in 2012 and 2013, went 9-10 with a 6.01 ERA in 27 starts for San Diego this year prior to being designated for assignment on Aug. 25 and released two days later.
Volquez, who will wear uniform number 30, was originally signed by Texas as a non-drafted free agent on Oct. 29, 2001 and has twice been traded, going from Texas to Cincinnati following the 2007 season as part of the Josh Hamilton deal and then to San Diego after the 2011 season as part of a five-player deal.
Withrow, who has had two stints with the Dodgers this season, posted a 2-0 record with a 3.38 ERA (9 ER/24.0 IP) in 17 appearances.
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