oldschooler Posted February 23, 2011 Report Share Posted February 23, 2011 [b] [b]Volquez Surprise Selection As Opening Day Starter[/b] [b]Righty Also Started Reds' First Playoff Game Last Season[/b] GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- [/b]The Reds have already named a starting pitcher for next month's opening day game. Manager Dusty Baker gave the nod Tuesday to right-hander Edinson Volquez, who also started Game 1 of last season's opening round playoff series. Volquez missed most of 2009 after undergoing elbow ligament replacement surgery and was suspended 50 games last season for violating Major League Baseball's policy on performance-enhancing drugs. He went 4-3 with a 4.31 earned-run average in 12 starts last season after returning from injury and suspension. The 27-year-old Volquez avoided arbitration with a one-year, $1.63 million contract, but turned down a four-year contract offer from the Reds. The team signed two other starting pitchers to long-term contracts in the offseason, extending right-hander Bronson Arroyo's tenure with a three-year, $35 million deal and signing right-hander Johnny Cueto to a four-year, $27 million contract. Volquez told reporters at the team's spring training complex in Arizona that he was surprised by his selection to take the mound March 31 against the Milwaukee Brewers. [url="http://www.wlwt.com/sports/26954344/detail.html"]http://www.wlwt.com/sports/26954344/detail.html[/url] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigDawgBengal Posted February 23, 2011 Report Share Posted February 23, 2011 Not really a shock in my mind. I believe Arroyo has said in the past he does not like all the opening day drama. If Volquez is on and healthy, he has the stuff to be the ace of the staff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason Posted February 23, 2011 Report Share Posted February 23, 2011 [quote name='BigDawgBengal' timestamp='1298479181' post='972304'] Not really a shock in my mind. I believe Arroyo has said in the past he does not like all the opening day drama. If Volquez is on and healthy, he has the stuff to be the ace of the staff. [/quote] We have 4 guys who have the stuff to be the ace of this staff. Could you imagine what this rotation would be like if Volquez, Cueto, Bailey, and Chapman all lived up to their potential? Would make the 90s Braves look like a high school staff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bengals1181 Posted March 8, 2011 Report Share Posted March 8, 2011 I had heard Arroyo didn't really want to do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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