Wade

Davis

A three-time All-Star and major component of the Royals’ World Series title run back in 2015, Davis spent 13 years in the big leagues with four organizations -- Royals, Cubs, Rockies and Rays -- dating back to 2009. The 36-year-old right-hander finishes with 141 career saves to go along with a 3.94 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 929/389 K/BB ratio across 990 1/3 innings (557 appearances, 88 starts).

The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster and officially ends Davis’ season. The 36-year-old landed on the injured list last week due to right shoulder inflammation. He’s struggled with a 6.75 ERA this season and one wonders if this could be the end of the line for him.

The move is retroactive to September 12, allowing Davis to return on September 22 if the right-hander if able. The 36-year-old is carrying a 6.75 ERA and 1.48 WHIP over 42 2/3 innings this season. Kansas City recalled Gabe Speier from Triple-A Omaha in a corresponding move.

Royals GM Dayton Moore needs to be limited to one nostalgia reliever per season going forward. He still has Greg Holland and Ervin Santana around now, so it’s crazy that Davis has managed to last the entire year on the active roster while amassing a 6.81 ERA in 35 2/3 innings.

Holland came on to protect a three-run lead in the ninth inning, but surrendered a two-run homer to Akil Baddoo and allowed another two runners to reach with two outs, prompting Royals skipper Mike Matheny to turn to Davis. Davis responded by striking out Jeimer Candelario to end the game and send the Royals faithful home happy. He now sports a 7.67 ERA and 1.56 WHIP to go along with two saves on the year.

Davis has been on the injured list since the end of June with a right forearm strain. He returns to an abhorrent 8.06 ERA through 25 2/3 innings of work, and shouldn’t be added to any fantasy rosters regardless of format.

Davis leaves behind a brutal 8.06 ERA through 25 2/3 innings of work this season. Richard Lovelady has been recalled from Triple-A Omaha to fill the vacant spot in the Royals’ bullpen.

With Josh Staumont unavailable after pitching in three of the last four games, Davis was called on to protect a one-run lead in the ninth. He gave up a leadoff double to Tim Anderson before Yoan Moncada brought in the tying run on a single. Davis hit Jose Abreu to put two runners on before Yoan Moncada was thrown out at home on a base hit by Yermin Mercedes. A wild pitch would get away from catcher Cam Gallagher and Abreu was called safe at home on a close play at the plate. The 35-year-old right-hander has 7.53 ERA and 1.53 WHIP over 14 1/3 innings on the year.

Davis netting a save in this one looks like happenstance more than anything else. Presumed closer Greg Holland was called upon to diffuse a bases loaded situation in the eighth inning and did just that with a strikeout. He got into trouble in the ninth, though, allowing a single, issuing a couple walks and allowing a run to score on a wild pitch. Royals skipper Mike Matheny decided after the second walk that that was enough for Holland, pulling the pitcher after he had thrown 25 pitches. Davis needed just eight pitches to get out of the jam to secure the four-run win. He did look pretty good in closing out the win, but we still doubt Davis is a major threat to Holland’s job right now.

The move puts the Royals 40-man roster at 39 for the time being. Davis tossed just 4 1/3 innings of baseball last season (20.77 ERA) after posting an 8.65 ERA, 5.56 FIP, and 8.86 K/9 in 2019. The veteran southpaw was not very effective during his stint in Colorado but pitched very well before his tenure in Coors. Davis has been rather impressive this spring, allowing no runs over six innings with a 1.17 WHIP and two strikeouts. No expectations, but the Royals are said to be going with a closer by committee approach this season, so Davis could be an option if you are really separate in deep fantasy leagues. It is not recommended though.