Cincinnati Reds Rookie Davis goes from MLB starter to the DL

Rookie Davis started the 2017 season the rotation for the Cincinnati Reds

The Cincinnati Reds had an interesting collection of pitchers in their rotation at various points this season.  The Reds had sixteen different pitchers make at least one start for them this season.  Seven of those sixteen made their first career MLB start.

One of those lucky many was rookie Rookie Davis.  He made five starts in April and May before the front office grew impatient of his mediocrity.  Then they sent him to the minors until September call-ups.

Davis had a horrendous April.  He had an ERA of 11.57 and a WHIP of 2.59.  Over three April starts he averaged 3 1/3 innings per start and spent 15 days on the DL.

In Davis’ two May starts he looked much better.  He went 1-1 with an ERA of 3.86.  His WHIP, however, was still a bloated 1.82.

After five starts covering just 19 innings, Rookie Davis was back in the minors.  Averaging 3 2/3 innings per start, despite surrendering only 3 home runs, wasn’t enough to keep him in the majors.  Davis was the major return of the Aroldis Chapman deal, but that doesn’t make him a guaranteed commodity.

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Davis made two more forgettable appearances in Cincinnati after a September call-up.  His ERA for the month was 12.60 covering five innings.  His lone September start was the norm for Davis, three innings allowing five runs.

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After the season, Rookie Davis underwent hip surgery to get ready for the Cincinnati Reds 2018 season.

Davis had a bone spur and an injured labrum in his right hip.  The surgeon that performed the surgery also performed a pairs of surgeries on catcher Devin Mesoraco.  Davis is only 24, but with an ERA of 8.63 he had the second worst ERA of 30 pitchers that took the mound for the Reds in 2017.

His September 20th start ended the season for Davis.  Davis isn’t an elite prospect as he only ranked 19th for the Reds at the end of the regular season.  He won’t be ready for spring training, but it is unclear how far this will push his preparation time table back.

Earlier in the year, Davis went on the DL with a bruised right forearm.  It is not suspected that the two injuries are linked.  Despite the injuries, Davis pitched a combined 107 1/3 innings between the majors and the minors in 2017.

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Davis needs to get healthy.  There is no consensus yet on which role is best for him.  The Reds just hope that they didn’t lose Chapman for nothing.