On April 5th, the Texas Rangers announced that pitcher Edinson Volquez was going to the IL (formerly known as the DL and I’m having a hard time getting used to that) with a right elbow strain. That means his UCL which he has already had repaired with two Tommy John surgeries, the first in 2009 and the second in 2017. If he has to have another Tommy John surgery then his career is surely over.

At least it came full circle.

For those not in the know, Volquez began his career with the Texas Rangers after being signed as a prospect out of the Dominican Republic. He soon became part of a trio of Rangers prospects who were collectively known as “DVD”.  They included Volquez, Thomas Diamond and John Danks. Of the three, Volquez saw the most success.

Danks was traded to the White Sox and had three winning seasons from 2008-2010 and then spent the rest of his career spending time between the majors and minors with Chicago never having a winning season again. He last appeared in a game in 2016.

Diamond was traded to the Cubs and only saw big league action in 2010 going 1-3 in 16 appearances. He retired in 2011 after being traded to the Twins and never being called back up to the show.

Volquez, however, had a pretty decent career. He was also one of the many players who helped the Texas Rangers go to back-to-back World Series. After the 2007 season he was part of the trade that sent him to the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for Josh Hamilton. The 2008 season was magical for both Volquez and Hamilton. That year was Volquez’s best as he went 17-6 with a 3.21 ERA and a very respectable 0.64 HR/9 innings. He also made the All-Star team. And who can forget Josh Hamilton’s breakout year and the still record 28 home runs in the first round of the home run derby at that same All-Star game?

On June 3rd, 2017 Edinson tossed his first, and more than likely only, no hitter against the Arizona Diamondbacks while pitching with the Miami Marlins. Later that season he injured his UCL which resulted in his second Tommy John surgery.

Texas eventually brought him back to the place where is career started. He joined a rotation that included, among others,  Drew Smyly and Shelby Miller, two other pitchers who had recently had Tommy John surgery as well.

The news on Friday wasn’t good. Reliever Kyle Bird was brought up and the Rangers announced that long reliever Adrian Sampson was going to assume Volquez’s spot in the rotation temporarily. But how long is temporarily? It’s highly unlikely that Edinson returns this season barring some kind of miracle. But I still wish him the best.

Dallas Kuechel is waiting for his phone to ring.

Until next time, I’ll see you in the cheap seats!

James Holland is a lifelong fan of baseball and his hometown Texas Rangers. When not watching or writing about baseball you can find him running karaoke shows at a sports bar by Globe Life Park.