The Baltimore Orioles are signing infielder J.D. Davis, per Jon Heyman of the New York Post. An additional report from Andy Kostka of The Baltimore Banner says it will be a minor league deal. The veteran infielder was released by the New York Yankees in late July and released on August 2. Davis, 31, came into 2024 on an unusual note as he will wear a third different uniform, but it has largely been a disappointment for him.
JD Davis is signing with the Orioles
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) August 7, 2024
Orioles Sign J.D. Davis to Minor League Deal
Davis and the San Francisco Giants went to an arbitration hearing, which he won. However, Davis was on his way out after the Giants signed Matt Chapman. He eventually found a new home but struggled with both the Oakland Athletics and Yankees this season. Davis batted .236 with four home runs in 39 contests with the Athletics. He didn’t do so well with the Yankees either, hitting for a lowly .105 batting average.
Davis made his major league debut with the Houston Astros in 2017. Davis played 66 games for the Astros in the 2017 and 2018 seasons, batting .194 and slugging five homers. He was then traded to the New York Mets, where he broke out, posting .278/.364/.451 splits in 335 matchups. He was dealt to the San Francisco Giants in exchange for first baseman Darin Ruf at the 2022 trade deadline. Davis spent the rest of that season, and all of 2023, with the Giants.
Baltimore’s signing of Davis comes after multiple injuries. All-Star second baseman Jordan Westburg landed on the 10-day injured list with a right-hand fracture. It is unclear when Westburg will return, with the organization hopeful that it will come before the postseason. The Orioles also lost utilityman Jorge Mateo to the 60-day IL with left elbow subluxation. Davis joins the club to provide depth and potentially help cover for Baltimore’s ailing infielders.
