March 19, 2024

Volquez finalizes contract with Marlins

MIAMI (AP) — Edinson Volquez admits he was “tired” toward the second half of last season. That attributed to his bloated 5.37 ERA, he said.

The 33-year-old right-hander, fresh off completing his $22 million, two-year contract with the Miami Marlins, assured everyone Friday that he is now rested and ready to go.

Volquez, who has made more than 30 starts in each of the past four years, was 10-11 last season.

Volquez gets $9 million next season and $13 million in 2018. He joins a rotation shaken by the loss of ace Jose Fernandez, who died in a boating accident a week before the end of the season in September.

Volquez said he doesn’t view himself as a replacement for Fernandez in the Marlins’ rotation.

“Jose’s death was a sad moment for MLB,” he said. “He was a great pitcher, and he was only 24. But I don’t want to be Jose. I want to be me.”