SURPRISE, Ariz. -- It had been nearly 20 months since Edinson Volquez last stepped on a Major League mound, so while the results of his first outing this spring left much to be desired, the veteran righty was all smiles after the game.

The Cubs tagged Volquez for four runs in the first inning, slugging their way to a 9-5 win over the Rangers at Surprise Stadium on Wednesday, rapping four hits in his lone inning of work. But Volquez, who hadn’t toed a big league rubber since July 5, 2017, walked off the mound feeling good about the status of his surgically repaired right elbow.

“It was a long process for me; 18 or 19 months, to face a hitter,” Volquez said. “In the beginning, I didn’t know what to expect in the first inning. I gave up a couple runs, but it’s not about the results. It’s about how I feel, how my arm is throwing. I feel great.

Volquez underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow on Aug. 4, 2017, then was released by the Marlins that following December. The Rangers signed him to a Minor League deal last February that carried through this season, allowing him to rehab his arm for all of 2018.

“I’m pretty happy to get that first one out of the way,” Volquez said. “It’s been so long.”

After retiring the leadoff hitter Wednesday, Volquez allowed three singles and hit a batter before recording another out. He would allow a fourth hit later in the inning, giving up four runs in the process, though he did strike out two hitters in the frame, both on changeups.

Volquez’s fastball was clocked as high as 97 mph, a big jump from the 93-94 range he’s averaged for most of his career. Despite the numbers, Rangers manager Chris Woodward came away impressed with the starter.

“First pitch he throws is 95, second pitch is 96 and he gets up to 97,” Woodward said. “Spring Training is so Spring Training; they ambushed him every time. Those are easy to clean up, because once we get information, he’s not going to throw them fastballs over and over again like that. I couldn’t be happier. I know he gave up four, but that’s about as excited as I’ve ever been after a four-spot.”

Choo returns

Shin-Soo Choo was back in camp Wednesday after receiving a cortisone shot in his left shoulder back in Texas on Tuesday to address inflammation in his AC joint.

Choo said he had a similar issue last August, the first time in his career his shoulder had ever bothered him. He received an injection at that time, as well, which appeared to have resolved the problem during the offseason.

The issue cropped up again about a week before he reported to camp, and after a week or so of medication, it hadn’t dissipated, leading to the decision to receive another cortisone shot. Choo said the shoulder bothers him more with everyday tasks than baseball activity.

“I hate to say it, but I’m getting old,” the 36-year-old Choo said. “Everything is a new spot, a new area. I never had any problem with my shoulder in my baseball career. I’m not really worried about it.”

Woodward said he would like to see Choo in the field as soon as Monday. Although his primary responsibility will be as the Rangers’ designated hitter, Choo could find himself in the outfield once or twice a week to give others a turn at DH.

No short-age of opportunity

Logan Forsythe was in uniform Wednesday after signing a Minor League contract with the Rangers earlier in the week. The veteran will try to win a utility job with Texas this spring, though Woodward seems most interested in the 32-year-old’s ability to serve as a backup at shortstop.

Forsythe has played only 21 career games at shortstop at the big league level (including a mere 2 1/3 innings since the start of 2015), but given his relationship with Woodward and hitting coach Luis Ortiz from their time together with the Dodgers, the infielder has great trust in them when it comes to the opportunity being presented.

“They’re very transparent when it comes to letting you know what your role is and what you’re going to do,” said Forsythe, who could make his Cactus League debut this weekend. “I’ve already talked to Woody about that, and he’s kind of given me an idea of where I stand this spring and what I’ve got to work at.”

Woodward could designate third baseman Asdrubal Cabrera as his backup shortstop this season, though the manager said he would prefer to leave that role in somebody else’s hands.

“If that’s the only guy on our roster that’s a backup shortstop, if Elvis [Andrus] and he collide, then what?” Woodward said. “I don’t want to put that on Asdrubal. I’d rather have him just focus on third base. If we have an actual backup shortstop, that would help a lot.”

Lefties are right on

Woodward praised the early work of left-handers Kyle Bird, Brett Martin, Jeffrey Springs and C.D. Pelham, all of whom are competing for a spot in the bullpen. The quartet has appeared in a combined total of only 28 big league games, but Woodward loves what he’s seen from their live arms.

“I’d rather have the arms we have with no experience than somebody throwing 85 with 15 years of experience,” Woodward said. “These guys are throwing 95, 96 miles per hour; that’s not easy to hit.”

Up next

The Rangers visit the Angels at Tempe Diablo Stadium on Thursday afternoon, with first pitch scheduled for 2:10 p.m. CT. LHP Drew Smyly makes his Cactus League debut, starting against Angels LHP Tyler Skaggs. The game can be seen on MLB.TV.