Edinson Volquez isn’t calling it a career in the Majors just yet.

Edinson Volquez wasn’t certain he’d step on a Major League mound in the midst of a pandemic. With the recent birth of his third daughter, Ayesha, the 14-year veteran thought he’d stay home with his family in their native Dominican Republic. But still certain he can contribute to the Rangers, the 37-year-old Volquez was eager to return to camp.

“I was close to staying home,” said Volquez, chuckling. “Because I just had a baby, like a week and a half (ago). So I’ll talk to my wife about it, like come back here and try to make the team. I know it’s gonna be hard, cause we got a lot of young guys in here. Good, talented guys. Like I said, I came back to do the best I can; so she agreed.”

Volquez is likely to pitch out of the bullpen for the team, as he did when he returned last September after missing most of the season with an elbow injury. Around him will be some younger arms, whom the veteran is excited to watch and share his experience in the Majors with.

“I’m really excited to see Jonathan Hernandez, (Jose) Leclerc, and all those young guys; they have a good arm,” said Volquez. “And (Jesse) Chavez is a veteran guy, he knows how to pitch. Being next to those guys is exciting. I can’t wait to see what they can do, especially (with) this short season. Let’s see what they can do. Hopefully I make the team, and stay next to them.”

In 16 innings pitched for the Rangers last season, Volquez went 0-1 with a 6.75 ERA.