Volquez on track for Friday reunion with Padres

PHOENIX -- Right-hander Edinson Volquez, who came out of his last start with a thumb blister, was able to throw a bullpen session Wednesday and remains the Dodgers' probable starter for Friday night's game against his former team, the Padres.

Volquez said the thumb responded well to treatment and a covering of artificial skin. He said the blister was caused by throwing his two-seam fastball, which he holds unconventionally with his right thumb bent underneath the ball instead of gripping it.

Volquez said he was able to throw all of his pitches in the bullpen session with no discomfort and the protective covering held up. He said the blister tore in his Saturday start. If Volquez had been unavailable Friday, the Dodgers might have called up Matt Magill to make the start.

Volquez will be making his fourth start for the Dodgers and first against the Padres since they released him. He said when he signed with the Dodgers he was hoping to get two starts to show what he could do. He credits some mechanical suggestions from pitching coach Rick Honeycutt for returning his delivery to the way it was during his best years with Cincinnati.

"They're giving me four starts," he said. "Maybe they like what they see."