MLB: Cubs Sign Doug Davis

[cigaretteman]

The Cubs have signed veteran left-hander Doug Davis to a minor-league deal to add pitching depth for a team that lost two of its season-opening starters to injury last week.

Davis, 35, doesn’t appear to be a short-term solution for filling either of the spots left open by injuries to Randy Wells (forearm) and Andrew Cashner (shoulder). But depending how long either of those injuries persist, Davis might be an option once he’s stretched out.

He’s been sent to Mesa, Ariz., for extended spring work.

Davis hasn’t pitched since July 9 because of a virus in the lining of his heart and later had surgery to repair a flexor-tendon tear.

He was 1-4 with a 7.51 ERA in eight starts for Milwaukee last year, including two losses to the Cubs.

His best season came in 2007 when he won 13 games for the National League West-champion Arizona Diamondbacks and then beat the Cubs in the playoffs.

Cubs sign veteran pitcher Doug Davis - Chicago Sun-Times

 

[CYdTracked]

Can't hurt, Russell was not very good last night. They also signed Ramon Ortiz when training camp broke that went unoticed and he started for Iowa last night.

 

[flynnhicks03]

Cubs sign veteran pitcher Doug Davis - Chicago Sun-Times

I know when he was with the Brewers, the Cubs made him look like Sandy Koufax. They couldn't do anything against him. I'm sure he's pretty washed up now, but they just need somebody to eat some innings.

 

[Clones21]

He will do.

 

[pyrocyz]

I would like to offer my condolences. Please, please, please don't expect anything out of him. As much as I don't like the Cubs, I don't like seeing washed up pitchers hurt teams.

 

[CYdTracked]

It's not like the Cubs have a lot of options at the moment without rushing some young kid up that isn't ready. I have a feeling Samardzija may get the next start instead of Russell but who else do they have that can start? Todd Wellemeyer is hurt and another washed up guy at Iowa now, Ramon Ortiz is like 37 and collecting retirement already, JR Mathes is 30 and has been a career minor leaguer for a reason. Thomas Diamond is probably no better than a long relief guy in the majors. Just a bad situation right now, they already are using their insurance pitcher in Coleman, who would have thought they would have 2 guys go down the first time through the rotation? Silva burned all his bridges, had he gutted it out and went to Iowa he probably would have been the 1st one called up.

 

[ca4cy]

If you're looking for a guy that works slow and walks a ton of batters, then he's your man.

I don't blame the Cubs. There just isn't jack out there for arms, let alone quality ones.

 

[Iastfan112]

It's not like the Cubs have a lot of options at the moment without rushing some young kid up that isn't ready. I have a feeling Samardzija may get the next start instead of Russell but who else do they have that can start? Todd Wellemeyer is hurt and another washed up guy at Iowa now, Ramon Ortiz is like 37 and collecting retirement already, JR Mathes is 30 and has been a career minor leaguer for a reason. Thomas Diamond is probably no better than a long relief guy in the majors. Just a bad situation right now, they already are using their insurance pitcher in Coleman, who would have thought they would have 2 guys go down the first time through the rotation? Silva burned all his bridges, had he gutted it out and went to Iowa he probably would have been the 1st one called up.

Very few pitchers accept assignment in that situation, most however move on with more grace than Silva.