Reds’ Volquez removed after 1 inning in first start off DL

Volquez lasts 1 inning in return from DL

ST. LOUIS — Cincinnati Reds right-hander Edinson Volquez lasted only one inning hours after he was activated from the 15-day disabled list, leaving his start with numbness in the pinky and ring fingers of his pitching hand.

Volquez, who entered with a 4-2 record and 4.25 ERA, will be evaluated in Cincinnati on Tuesday by team medical director Dr. Timothy Kremchek, team spokesman Rob Butcher said.

Volquez had been on the DL with back spasms since leaving his last start on May 16 at San Diego.

The Cardinals scored in the first on consecutive one-out doubles by Colby Rasmus and Albert Pujols. Volquez then walked Chris Duncan before striking out Rick Ankiel and Jason LaRue to end the inning. Mike Lincoln replaced him in the second.

Reliever Jared Burton was optioned to Triple-A Louisville when Volquez came off the DL before the game. Burton has a 6.33 ERA in 20 games.

Burton was a combined 9-3 with a 2.92 ERA in 2007-08, his first two seasons. The Reds acquired the right-hander from the Oakland Athletics in the Rule 5 draft in 2006.

Manager Dusty Baker doesn’t expect Burton, who turns 28 on Tuesday, to be in the minors long once he regains his confidence.

“We’re going to try to pitch him a lot,” Baker said. “He’ll get it together. It’s a temporary situation.”