Left-hander Austin Davis has opted for free agency after clearing waivers, as reported by Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune on Saturday night. Davis, 31, was recently designated for assignment by the Padres as part of their roster adjustments following the trade deadline.
Drafted in the 12th round by the Phillies in 2014, Davis made his major league debut in 2018. His rookie season was notable, with 34 2/3 innings pitched and a league-average 4.15 ERA, supported by a strong 25.2 percent strikeout rate and a solid 3.68 FIP. However, his performance declined significantly after that, leading to a series of challenging seasons with the Phillies, Pirates, Red Sox, and Twins.
Despite a decent 24.2 percent strikeout rate over 86 innings, Davis struggled with a 5.44 ERA due to a high 11.7 percent walk rate. His tenure with the Twins ended poorly, and he was designated for assignment before electing free agency.
Davis later joined the Astros on a minor league deal but faced difficulties at the Triple-A level, posting an 11.22 ERA in 25 2/3 innings. He then spent time in independent ball, where he showed improvement with a 3.62 ERA and a 26.7 percent strikeout rate in nine starts.
Rejoining affiliated baseball with the Padres on a minor league contract for the 2024 season, Davis excelled at Triple-A El Paso, recording a 3.10 ERA and a 29.8 percent strikeout rate. However, his major league stint in late June was less successful, with a 9.00 ERA over seven innings.
Now a free agent again, Davis may attract interest from teams seeking bullpen depth, given his strong Triple-A performance and left-handed pitching capabilities.
