Visa hassle cleared as Edinson Volquez returns to the Cincinnati Reds - MLB Update
The Cincinnati Reds had something to be happy about recently, as their key player Edinson Volquez finally got a visa to fly to Arizona for Spring Training. Volquez was in the Dominican Republic when the exhibition games started in the Cactus League and was
held back in his home country, unable to join the rest of the cast with paper-work issues.
After finally arriving in Goodyear, he took on the San Francisco Giants in a short stint the very next day. The player delivered two innings of pitching in the match-up, conceding two runs and two hits. He allowed a walk and hit a batter as well. The maestro
came in to relieve Bronson Arroyo on the mound.
Volquez had a tough flight back to the United States, as he left for the country on Wednesday, from the Dominican Republic. He eventually got to Arizona in the night after a connecting flight took off from New York.
"My arm felt strong. My body was tired," said Volquez."Everything is great. My arm is good. No pain, no nothing."
Volquez went on to tell the reporters that he was happy to be back on duty. He was looking forward to the players in a real match-up. Manager of the Reds, Dusty Baker, was content with the performance that saw 60 pitches from Volquez in the spring game.
"He got a lot of nice work in, especially for the fact he didn't get much sleep," Baker said. "It's a long ways from the Dominican. It's OK. He's one day off schedule."
Volquez had a visa problem at the helm, as he was told that the document was not ready at the time of his departure at the start of March.
"I was worried about it. I couldn't wait anymore to get back to Arizona," Volquez said. "When they told me Monday morning the visa wasn't ready yet, I went to the complex and threw a little bit with the pitching coach down there. ... They called yesterday
morning and said, 'Hey, we've got it. Your visa is ready.' "
It will be interesting to see how Volquez performs during the Cactus League matches. His importance to the Reds is crucial, if they are to have a good start to the upcoming 2011 Major League Baseball season.
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