Kane

Davis

The hard-throwing Davis opened the season in the Atlantic League for a second straight year. The 28-year-old is now back with the team that first brought him to the majors four years ago. If he pitches well, he could be a candidate to see time in the pen later this year.

Davis, who spent time playing indy ball in 2003 and 2004, is back in the majors for the first time since 2002. He had a 2.44 ERA and 81 strikeouts in 62 2/3 IP for Nashville, so he’s earned the opportunity. He’ll likely work in the middle innings.

No invitations to spring training. There were a lot of teams hopeful that Davis’s big-time fastball would allow him to become an effective pitcher, but he’s only regressed. He had a 6.15 ERA in 32 relief appearances fro Triple-A Buffalo last season.

Davis, who had been pitching in the Atlantic League, has a mid-90s fastball and not much to go along with it. The odds of him returning to the majors with the Cubs aren’t good.

Davis is back in the majors for the first time since 2005. The veteran reliever had a 3.06 ERA for Ottawa, but if the Phillies thought he’d be successful in the majors, they’d have tried him months ago.

Davis gave up seven runs in 11 1/3 innings for the Phillies during the final month of the season.

It’s not guaranteed. Davis had a 2.70 ERA in 16 2/3 innings after joining the Brewers in August. He’ll have to compete for a bullpen spot.

Davis, who has allowed two earned runs in 5 1/3 innings, has been competing for a bullpen spot. If he’s out of the mix, it’s more likely that Justin Lehr will have a job.

Releasing an injured pitcher? We’ll see how that goes. Davis, who is out of options, has been dealing with shoulder tendinitis for at least a week.