CHICAGO -- This past Thursday became unexpectedly busy for Chris Volstad.
The Jupiter, Fla., native spent most of the day boarding up his parents' house and his sister's house in preparation for Hurricane Irma, not to mention boarding up an area microbrewery he owns with his cousin and another business partner.
Later that night, the right-handed hurler, whose season with Triple-A Charlotte came to a close on Monday, got the call he was coming to the White Sox for the remainder of the 2017 campaign.
"Surprised is a good word," said Volstad, who made his White Sox debut Sunday with a scoreless inning to close out an 8-1 victory over the Giants. "I had already been at home just kind of gearing up for an offseason I guess and got the call. Obviously very excited and glad to be here and help out any way I can.
"Spot start, middle relief -- any situation. Extra innings, whatever the case may be. I'll be ready to go at any time. I feel like I still have the ability. It's just a matter of being consistent and executing, obviously. Still feel like I have some left in the tank."
The 30-year-old Volstad couldn't find a flight to Chicago until early Friday morning and had to drive a little over an hour to the Fort Lauderdale airport to make it to Chicago. But his flight took off on time and he was in the clubhouse prior to Friday's first pitch against the Giants, geared up again to pitch after three days away.
As for his family in Florida, Volstad said the hurricane started tracking a little further west since he got to Chicago and they are doing OK.
"We've been through a few of them," Volstad said. "In 2004, there were three hurricanes that came through within six weeks of each other. Once it got close enough [now], we had to board up. Just ready to hunker down and ride it out.
"We feel pretty safe inside and just make sure you don't really go outside and get yourself into any trouble. If you stay inside and ride it out, you will be all right."