SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Free agent Edinson Volquez, who pitched for the Rangers from 2005-07, is returning to the club on a two-year Minor League contract while he recovers from Tommy John elbow reconstruction surgery.
Volquez was with the Marlins in 2017 and last pitched on July 5 against the Cardinals. He then started having the elbow issues that resulted in the reconstruction surgery on Aug. 4.
Volquez joins the Rangers with an invitation to big league camp and will remain in Arizona to continue his rehab program. The 34-year-old is not expected to pitch at all this season but could be an option in 2019.
"It's a deal for 2019," Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said. "Similar thought process with Shawn Tolleson. Invest some time and energy in the rehab and hopefully reap the benefits of healthy pitchers next year."
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Daniels said the Rangers tried to sign Volquez to a one-year contract last year, but he took a two-year deal with the Marlins. He was 4-8 with a 4.19 ERA in 17 starts for Miami -- including a no-hitter against the D-backs on June 3 -- before coming down with the elbow injury.
The Rangers originally signed Volquez in 2001 out of the Dominican Republic. He was part of a trio of highly-regarded pitching prospects, along with John Danks and Thomas Diamond.
Volquez pitched in 17 games for the Rangers over parts of three seasons before being traded to the Reds on Dec. 21, 2007, along with pitcher Danny Herrera, for outfielder Josh Hamilton.