Chris

Volstad

The former first-round pick of the Marlins yielded a whopping six runs -- three earned -- over just 1 1/3 innings (three appearances) this spring in Reds camp. Volstad hasn’t pitched in a major league game since 2018, when he registered a 6.27 ERA and only 29 strikeouts in 47 1/3 innings with the White Sox.

Volstad did not play in affiliated baseball last year. The 33-year-old pitched for the White Sox in 2018, going 1-5 with a 6.27 ERA in 33 appearances. He has pitched for the Marlins, Cubs, Rockies, Pirates and White Sox in his nine-year big-league career. He will serve as emergency pitching depth for the Reds in 2020.

He struck out four and walked one. Volstad has now allowed three or fewer runs in four consecutive starts, dropping his ERA from 5.66 to 5.31. He’ll get the Nationals in Washington this weekend.

He struck out five and walked zero. Tonight was just the seventh time in 28 2011 starts that Volstad was able to complete seven innings of work, though he has now done so in back-to-back outings. The owner of a 4.96 ERA and 1.45 WHIP through 159 2/3 innings, he’s in line to start Wednesday’s season finale against the Nationals.

He only recorded two strikeouts and was taken deep by Jason Bartlett. Volstad had given up just one run in his first three spring outings to earn a spot among the starting five, but he was due for an outing like this. He can’t be counted on for much even in NL-only fantasy leagues this season.

Thursday’s scheduled off-day has allowed the Cubs to move Samardzija back a day in the rotation while starting Chris Volstad on regular rest Monday against the Phillies. The Cubs are monitoring the 27-year-old’s workload in his first season as a starter, so they will likely give him some extra rest whenever possible.

The Phils notched all four runs in the first inning before Volstad settled down, but it’s hardly of any comfort to his suffering fantasy owners. The tall right-hander’s ERA now sits at 6.11, and he might be out of a job before long if he doesn’t shape up. He’ll get the Dodgers this weekend.

Volstad gave up six hits and two walks while striking out just one. He allowed five runs in his final inning of work, the big blow of which was a grand slam by Edwin Maysonet. Volstad has allowed four runs or more in each of his last five starts and owns an ugly 6.92 ERA on the year. He can be avoided in most fantasy formats.

He did at least record six strikeouts. Volstad earned a rotation spot with a strong spring, but his track record suggests that anyone expecting much from him this season will be disappointed. He’ll face off against the Cardinals over the weekend.

He’s now twirled six scoreless frames to kick off his spring to perhaps put himself in the driver’s seat for the final spot in the Cubs rotation. He could potentially churn out some value in NL-only formats this season, but history suggests that we shouldn’t count on much.