Wade Davis

KC Royals Add 5 Players, Including Closer Wade Davis

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

The KC Royals activated closer Wade Davis from the disabled list Friday afternoon. They also recalled 3B Hunter Dozier, INF Whit Merrifield, OF Terrance Gore, and C Tony Cruz from the minor leagues. All five will be in uniform on Friday night against Detroit.

Fox Sports Kansas City reporter Joel Goldberg tweeted the news on Friday:

#Royals activate RHP Wade Davis. Recall INF/OF Whit Merrifield, OF Terrance Gore, C Tony Cruz & purchase contract of INF Hunter Dozier.

— Joel Goldberg (@goldbergkc) September 2, 2016

So much for the tired bullpen.

Merrifield’s presence along with extra-base machine Hunter Dozier (44 2B in MiLB, along with 1 3B and 23 HRs) will allow Ned Yost to more liberally pinch hit for light hitting rookie shortstop Raul Mondesi late in games. Tony Cruz will make it easy for Yost to pinch run for catcher Salvador Perez in specific situations without getting down to his last catcher.

Wade Davis will return to his closer role, pushing Kelvin Herrera back to eighth-inning set up man. Given the recent dominance of lefty rookie reliever Matt Strahm, the KC Royals would appear to have a three-headed monster in the bullpen once more.

While the Kansas City Royals bullpen enjoyed a tremendous rebound in August, but the Cyborg’s return is a big shot in the arm. Let’s just hope that Davis is his old self instead of the guy that rushed back in mid July.

The KC Royals could still call up Christian Colon (eligible to return on September 5 when Omaha’s season ends) and injured pitchers Jason Vargas and Kris Medlen as later in September.