Orioles’ Davis announces retirement
Baltimore first baseman Chris Davis, who led the majors with 53 homers in 2013 and hit 47 in 2015, announced his retirement Thursday.
Davis, 35, helped the Orioles reach the postseason in 2012, 2014 and 2016 but had been in a steep decline since the 2017 season. From 2018 through ’20, he failed to hit higher than .179 and his power numbers fell as he dealt with injuries and a shrinking OPS.
Davis, who signed a sevenyear, $161 million contract in January 2016, was going to miss the entire 2021 season after surgery in May to repair the labrum in his left hip.
“After an extended time dealing with my injury and recent hip surgery, I informed the Orioles about my decision to retire effective today,” Davis said in a statement released by the team.
Davis hit .115 over 55 at-bats last year, twice ending up on the injured list with knee problems.
Arrieta released: A day after allowing seven runs in the first inning of a start against Milwaukee, 2015 NL Cy Young Award winner Jake Arrieta was released by the Cubs.
Arrieta, 35, is 5-11 with a 6.88 ERA in 20 starts after returning to the team — which he helped win the 2016 World Series — on a one-year, $6 million deal. He pitched for Philadelphia from 2018 through ’20.
Ex-A’s roundup: Former A’s reliever Jordan Weems cleared waivers and was sent to Triple-A Reno by Arizona. ... Former A’s outfielder Josh Reddick, released by the Diamondbacks on Monday, agreed to a minor-league deal with the Mets. ... Former A’s pitcher Tommy Milone, on the injured list since late May because of a shoulder injury, was released by Toronto. ... Ex-As reliever John Axford, who suffered an elbow injury in his first outing of the season Aug. 2, was moved from the 10-day IL to the 60-day IL by the Brewers.
Medical report: Yankees pitcher Corey Kluber, sidelined since May 27 because of a shoulder strain, began a rehab assignment Thursday — as did Tampa Bay pitcher Chris Archer, pitcher Matthew Boyd and infielder Isaac Paredes of the Tigers, and Philadelphia reliever Bailey Falter. ... Milwaukee closer Josh Hader was activated from the COVID IL. ... Cubs catcher Willson Contreras (sore knee), Arizona outfielder Kole Calhoun (hamstring), Cleveland reliever Nick Sandlin (shoulder strain) and Detroit shortstop Niko Goodrum (groin strain) went on the 10-day IL.