Just days after opting for free agency, left-handed reliever Austin Davis re-signed to a minor league deal with the Padres, FanSided’s Robert Murray reported.
The 31-year-old was designated for transfer one day after the July 31 trade deadline and became a free agent on Saturday. According to Steve Adams of MLBTradeRumors.com, he will likely return to Triple-A to play with the El Paso Chihuahuas.
Davis initially signed a minor league contract with San Diego as a free agent on Jan. 31. He was promoted to the major league roster less than a month later. He made seven appearances for the Padres that season, posting a 9.00 ERA with six strikeouts and five walks in seven innings. Batters averaged .240 against the left-hander.
Davis spent most of this season in Triple-A, posting a 3.10 ERA in 29 appearances. He collected 37 strikeouts and 16 walks while allowing 19 hits and 10 earned runs in 29 innings.
The Cal State Bakersfield product was selected by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 12th round of the 2014 MLB Draft, 352nd overall. He spent three seasons with the franchise and made 50 MLB appearances with the club.
Davis has six seasons of MLB experience and has played for five different teams. In addition to the Padres and Phillies, the reliever has played in the major leagues for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins.
Davis has made at least seven appearances each season except for the 2023 season. He was signed to a minor league contract by the Houston Astros and invited to spring training, but never made an MLB appearance with the club.
In April 2023, Davis was placed on the temporarily inactive list for five days before being released by the Sugar Land Space Cowboys on June 26, 2023.
After being released by the Astros’ Triple-A affiliate, Davis joined the Dominican Winter League on November 27 to play with the Estrellas Orientales. Davis became the starting pitcher and made five league appearances, going 1-1 and posting a 2.45 ERA with 18 strikeouts and 11 walks in 18.1 innings.
The Padres signed Tanner Scott, Jason Adam and Bryan Hoeing to their talented bullpen at the deadline. Davis will add depth to the El Paso roster if the Padres decide to bring another reliever to the major leagues.
