Start the 5th starter in AAA until April 9th?

[The Duke]

Now the Reds have an off day after game 1, so you can start the top of the rotation over again after 4 pitchers this first time through, so would it be worth while to start Volquez in AAA until April 9th to keep an extra releiver for the first 8 games of the year? I think it would be, as long as we tell Volquez exactly that, and that he will be starting on April 9th for the Reds. T

he only real downside to that would be Voluqez's first start as a Red would be on the road in Milwaukee instead of at home against the Phillies, whom he has pitched very well against twice in ST already. If you go with 8 reliever and 4 starters the first 8 games, then you have this pen to see who is looking the best between Burton, Bray, Coffey, Mercker, or Stanton

LR: Matt Belisle
MR: Kent Mercker or Mike Stanton
MR: Todd Coffey
MR: Bill Bray
MR: Jerenmy Affeldt
MR: Jared Burton
SU: David Weathers
CL: Francisco Cordero

[awnawboi21]

No chance I'd send him down. We don't need an extra reliever or position player THAT bad until then. Let him get his work in on the side, and if you're worried about it throw him in for some long relief at some point. I wouldn't risk sending him down and extinguishing the fire he's got in him right now.

[jake2bake4]

I voted no but I really like the idea. I think I'd rather have Volquez getting his head on straight with the Reds and pitching on the side. I do like the idea of having that extra reliever to decide who to keep but I think we should make the decision now and not drag it out.

[starpower25]

Move Fogg not Volquez into long relief untill its time to go 5 deep. it will be easier for Fogg then Volquez to do that and you wantVolquez the young kid to get his work on every 5th day. You can then move Fogg back between Cueto and Volquez once you go back to the 5 man rotation

[Lark11]

I tend to agree that there's more risk than benefit to it. Volquez should just know he's in the rotation and relax until they need him, especially since it's only ~1 week period of time. If we didn't need a 5th starter until the third week in April, then I think you do it, but 1 week just isn't worth it.

[redvol]

No, don't send him to AAA. He's been yanked around before by the Rangers and no sense in souring his attitude right from the start.

Besides, volquez appears perfectly suited to be an extra reliever for a couple weeks.

[redsinidaho]

i heard marty talking about Fogg sticking around FL and pitching in some spring training games until he is needed. is he going to be #5?

[mrpotamus]

I don't think it would be wise at all to skip Volquez in the rotation because the Reds have an off day and don't need a 5th starter. He needs to pitch, not sit on the bench. If they are going to skip anyone, it should be Fogg, but it makes no sense either way.