BRADENTON, Fla. -- The Pirates signed right-hander Rookie Davis to a minor-league contract Monday and invited him to major-league spring training.
Davis, 25, missed most of last season with the Reds while recovering from right hip surgery. He appeared in nine minor-league games, five of which were starts, and was 2-2 with a 6.49 ERA and 1.40 WHIP.
Davis made his major-league debut with the Reds in 2017, going 1-3 with an 8.63 ERA and 2.16 WHIP in seven games, all but one as a starter. His lone win came against the Pirates when he pitched five scoreless innings May 3 at Cincinnati.
His given name is William Theron Davis, but he got the nickname “Rookie” by his father at a young age. And, yes, Rookie Davis still has rookie status.