Royals sign RHP Wade Davis to a Minor League deal

KANSAS CITY, MO (January 20, 2021) – The Kansas City Royals announced today that they have signed right-handed pitcher Wade Davis to a minor league contract.

A three-time All-Star, Davis, 35, has pitched the last three years with the Colorado Rockies, making five appearances during the 2020 campaign. He led the National League in saves (43) and games finished (63) in 2018, while he recorded 15 saves in 50 appearances in his last full season with the Rockies in 2019.

The right-hander pitched for the Chicago Cubs in 2017, going 4-2 with 32 saves and a 2.30 ERA (15 ER in 58.2 IP) in 59 appearances, earning his third-straight All-Star selection. He was with the Royals for four seasons (2013-16), being named an All-Star twice (2015-16), the MLB.com Setup Man of the Year in 2014 and the MLB Esurance “Top Postseason Performer” in 2015, recording the World Series-clinching strikeout in the 12th inning of Game 5.

Davis has pitched in six different postseasons, going 4-0 with eight saves and a 1.80 ERA (8 ER in 40.0 IP), with 57 strikeouts (12.83 K/9) combined. That includes three victories and four saves with Kansas City during the 2014 and 2015 postseasons, while pitching to a 0.36 ERA (1 ER in 25.0 IP).

After being acquired by Kansas City from Tampa Bay on Dec. 9, 2012, Davis made 24 starts with in 2013, before moving full-time to the bullpen in 2014. Since becoming a full-time reliever, he’s gone 27-19 with 139 saves in 157 opportunities (88.5 percent) and a 3.05 ERA (120 ER in 353.2 IP). His save total in that span (2014-20) ranks 11th in the Majors, while he’s one of just 15 pitchers to collect 125 or more saves during that time.

A native of Lake Wales, Fla., Davis and his wife, Katelyn, have a daughter, Sully and a son, Ty.