As the Reds linger around in the NL Central race -- a.k.a. The Race No One Seems to Want to Win -- they could really use the services of last year's ace, Edinson Volquez. The right-hander who went 17-6 last season has been on the disabled list since June 2 with elbow tendinitis. Initial plans were to activate Volquez quite soon. Those plans have now been put on hold because a recent MRI (the second one taken during last homestand) revealed muscle inflammation in Volquez's forearm, and they have completely shut him down until it subsides.
"It just means it will take a little longer, but we still expect a full recovery," Reds general manager Walt Jocketty said. "You have to make sure it heals completely. Those things generally do."There is no timetable set for Volquez's return, but the smart money is on it being quite a while. Once the inflammation finally goes away, Volquez will then need to rebuild arm strength and go through a minor-league rehab program.
The Reds haven't officially announced who will fill the void in the rotation, but it's pretty obvious Homer Bailey is going to get an extended look. It's put up or shut up time for the long-ballyhooed prospect, who is still only 23 years old, but has had several failed attempts to stick in the majors thus far. Personally, I think he's ready to finally stick (click here to read why).
Regardless of who does it, though, the Reds need someone to step into the rotation. They are two games under .500, but only 4 1/2 games out of first place and it seems like it's anybody's ballgame at this point in the NL Central.
