Weekend wrap: Volquez, McLouth, Wood

The first baseball weekend has come and gone and, as always, there's plenty of nuggets to break down.

So, let's get rolling. You've got a waiver wire to comb.

Edison Volquez: The Reds skinny 6-1, 160-pound righty was dealing Sunday against the Phillies. Volquez threw 5 1/3 strong innings, striking out 8, allowing 5 hits, 2 walks and 1 run. 

Fantasy spin: If Volquez is still around, grab him in all formats but shallow mixed leagues. There's a reason Cincy traded Josh Hamilton to Texas for this guy and it was for days like this. Great American is a small park, so his era/whip number may look like 3.50/1.30 but if he lasts a full season he's 200 K's waiting to happen.

Nate McLouth: All McLouth did in his first week is hit 12 for 28 (.429) with 6 runs, 7 RBI, 1 HR and 2 SBs. 

Fantasy spin: The Pirates CF was moved to No. 3 in the lineup, but only because Jason Bay and Freddie Sanchez were not in the lineup. The Pirates voted McLouth as breakout player this year in an informal poll, but formally, I'm giving you permission to pick him up if he's somehow still around, or try to trade for him, if he ever has a lull in performance, as he's a 20/30/80/110/.280 guy waiting to happen.

Kerry Wood: You didn't think I could let the weekend go by without a Wood update, did you? All K-Wood did after that disastrous opener is save 3 games in 4 days, striking out 3, giving up just 1 hit and 0 walks in 3 strong innings. Wood fanned Miguel Tejada, at one-time a very tough out, to end the Astros game on Sunday. 

Fantasy spin: I won't say I told you so, because it's still early, but Wood is looking every bit a top closer I thought he would be. That said, I traded him for Fukudome in one of my leagues last night, so maybe I'm not 100 percent confident. Still, I give you permission to think of Wood you as a guy just outside the first tier of closers right now.

Odds & Ends: Erik Bedard was scratched Sunday with inflammation in his left hip. Don't worry. Yahoo! Sports Canada tells me it's no big deal and that the Ontario native will be back on the mound Tuesday against Tampa Bay. That's a rock solid news source ... Texas OF David Murphy was supposed to be in a platoon but is hitting .409 and is worth a look in mixed leagues ... Don't look now, but Ben Sheets is 2-0 with 15 1/3 scoreless innings after Sunday's 5-hit shutout. A healthy Sheets, circa 2004, means Sheets owners will be doing cartwheels this year, but I'm not a believer yet ... Those looking for saves, add Arizona RP Tony Pena, as Brandon Lyon looks blew his second save opp. ... St. Louis OF Rick Ankiel now has 3 HR, although he's probably not available, but Texas 1B Ben Broussard might be worth a spin. Broussard, who hit his third HR Sunday has 25 HR potential and is finally playing every day. ... Don't worry about Justin Verlander, despite an awful night. Only 4 of his 9 runs were earned and he makes a good buy-low candidate ... San Diego RP Heath Bell has pitched 16.1 scoreless innings while Trevor Hoffman (12.27 ERA) blew his second save in four chances. I know, he's Trevor Hoffman, but I could see a DL stint coming at this rate. Keep Bell on speed dial.