White Sox: Chris Volstad’s Start Comes Up Short

CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 24: Starting pitcher Chris Volstad #66 of the Chicago White Sox delivers the ball against the Seattle Mariners at Guaranteed Rate Field on April 24, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 24: Starting pitcher Chris Volstad #66 of the Chicago White Sox delivers the ball against the Seattle Mariners at Guaranteed Rate Field on April 24, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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White Sox veteran pitcher made first start of the season on Tuesday in a tough loss to Seattle Mariners.

Chris Volstad started on the bump during Tuesday’s game against the Mariners. Volstad pitched 4 1/3 hard innings, allowing one run on three hits; this was his third start since 2012.

Even though the White Sox lost 1-0, Volstad was proud of his performance, he told MLB.com:

"“Getting wins is always nice. As a pitcher though… keeping it close, keeping the team in the game, and if the team wins, that’s the ultimate goal. If I can do that and go four innings, and it’s a one-run game or close and we win at the end, then I did my job.”"

Volstad pitched well, but has yet to get a win under his belt. Volstad’s last win in as a starter was on Sept. 10, 2012, almost six years ago, when he played for the Chicago Cubs.

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The right hander also played for the Colorado Rockies, Florida Marlins, and Pittsburgh Pirates. Volstad has experience overseas as well; he played in the Korea Baseball League when he pitched for the Doosan Bears in 2014.

Volstad may look familiar because he made two starts and four relief appearances with the White Sox last season and it’s now once again his time to shine. The White Sox purchased Volstad’s contract from Triple-A Charlotte on April 12.

Along with Volstad’s call-up came some moves. The White Sox moved left-handed pitcher Carlos Rodon to the 60-day disabled list to make room for Volstad on their 40-man roster. Rodon is on the mend from left shoulder surgery.

The native of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. was drafted with the 16th pick in the 2005 MLB draft. The 31-year-old was a former starter with the Marlins and Cubs.

During this year’s spring training, Volstad didn’t allow an earned run over 14 innings. He played in eight Cactus League games, but one of his notable games was on March 18 against the Dodgers when he pitched 1.2 scoreless innings and struck out two.

We will have to wait and see if Volstad will be on the mound again during this weekend’s Kansas City Royals series.

Next: White Sox Lose Pitching Duel to Seattle

This is Volstad’s ninth Major League season.