Padres Bring Back Left-Hander for Bullpen Depth
The Padres have re-signed left-handed pitcher Austin Davis to a minor league deal, according to Robert Murray of FanSided. Davis returns to the team after opting for free agency earlier in the offseason.
Last season, the 31-year-old (turning 32 next month) made seven appearances for San Diego, allowing eight runs in seven innings, with five walks and six strikeouts. However, his performance in Triple-A El Paso was much more promising. Over 47 2/3 innings in the Pacific Coast League, Davis posted a solid 3.40 ERA and struck out nearly 30% of batters, though his 12.5% walk rate remained a concern.
While his command issues persist, Davis’ ability to miss bats and solid showing in the minors were enough for the Padres to offer him a non-roster spot. Still, he faces stiff competition for a spot in the Opening Day bullpen, with several left-handed relievers already in the mix, including Yuki Matsui, Wandy Peralta, and Adrian Morejon. Tom Cosgrove, who also struggled in his MLB debut last season, is another potential option on the 40-man roster.
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