MLB announced Monday that Davis has accepted a position in the organization's Baseball Operations Department, signaling the end of his playing career.
Davis spent the 2020 campaign in the Mexican League, but prior to that, he had seen MLB action in each of the previous 14 seasons. The 40-year-old's extensive experience at the MLB level should aid him as he transitions into an advisory role now that he's decided to hang up his cleats. A journeyman for much of his career, Davis played for eight teams -- the Pirates, Giants, Athletics, Blue Jays, Tigers, Indians, Red Sox and Mets -- and compiled a .262/.311/.379 line (86 wRC+) to go with 62 home runs and 415 stolen bases over 1,448 career games. His most notable highlight came with the Indians in 2016, when he hit a game-tying home run off Cubs closer Aroldis Chapman in the eighth inning of Game 7 of the World Series.
Davis signed a contract with Acereros de Monclova of the Mexican League on Thursday, Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com reports.
Davis appeared in 29 games with the Mets last season and posted a .200/.231/.400 slash line with one home run in 26 plate appearances, but he spent the bulk of the season at Triple-A. The 39-year-old entered the majors in 2006 with the Tigers and played with seven other teams over the last 14 seasons.
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Mets' Rajai Davis: Back up with Mets
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Davis' contract was purchased from Triple-A Syracuse prior to Tuesday's game against the Indians.
He is not in the lineup for the first game of a three-game home series against the Indians. Davis, 38, hit .287/.334/.410 with eight home runs and 20 steals in 84 games at Triple-A. He will work primarily as a reserve outfielder and pinch runner over the rest of the season.
Davis cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Syracuse on Tuesday, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.
Davis was designated for assignment by the Mets over the weekend but will remain with the organization after going unclaimed on waivers. The 38-year-old was slashing .277/.344/.403 in 37 games with Syracuse prior to his brief stay in the majors.
Davis was designated for assignment by the Mets on Sunday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
Davis spent only four games with the Mets but made his brief stay count by going 2-for-7 with a three-run home run. Michael Conforto (concussion) makes his return from the injured list, prompting the move. The 38-year-old Davis could be headed back to Triple-A Syracuse if he goes unclaimed on waivers.
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Mets' Rajai Davis: Opportunities set to increase
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Manager Mickey Callaway said Thursday that he expects Davis, Carlos Gomez and J.D. Davis to log the majority of the starts in the outfield while the Mets' top three options are all sidelined with injuries, Matt Ehalt of Yahoo Sports reports.
Per Tim Healey of Newsday, Davis won't be included in the lineup for Thursday's series finale with the Nationals, but Callaway's comments suggest the 38-year-old will be rewarded with extra time at the expense of Juan Lagares. After being called up to the big club Wednesday, Davis made his presence felt right away with a three-run, pinch-hit homer in the Mets' 6-1 victory. Davis has shown an ability to rack up steals while receiving steady playing time in the past, making him a decent speculative pickup for NL-only and deeper mixed league managers looking for an infusion of speed on their rosters.
Davis went 1-for-1 with a three-run home run in Wednesday's 6-1 win over the Nationals.
Pinch hitting for pitcher Drew Gagnon in the eighth inning, Davis took Nats closer Sean Doolittle deep in his first action as a Met to cap a six-run rally. With Michael Conforto (concussion), Brandon Nimmo (neck) and Jeff McNeil (hamstring) all banged up at the moment, Davis could be in line for fairly consistent work in the team's outfield in the short term, but his fantasy value is likely to be limited despite his impressive debut -- the 38-year-old speedster hasn't posted an OPS of .700 or better since 2015.
Davis' contract was purchased from Triple-A Syracuse on Wednesday, Mike Mazzeo of Yahoo Sports reports.
The Mets' outfield has been decimated by injuries, with Brandon Nimmo (neck) landing on the injured list in a corresponding move. The expectation is that the Mets will be able to tread water without relying on Davis too heavily, but he could come in late in games to spell players like J.D. Davis and Jeff McNeil. Davis, 38, was hitting .277 with three home runs and 14 steals in 132 plate appearances at Triple-A.
Davis was reassigned to minor-league camp Saturday, Deesha Thosar of The New York Daily News reports.
The veteran speedster was fighting for a spot on the Mets' bench, but not being on the 40-man roster proved to be too big a hurdle to overcome. Davis is now set to begin the season with Triple-A Syracuse.
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Mets' Rajai Davis: Still fighting for job
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Davis went 1-for-2 with a run scored in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals.
Of the three veteran outfielders battling for a bench job with the Mets this spring, Davis has by far been the most impressive at the plate, and he now boasts a .310/.353/.552 slash line through 13 games. On the other hand, his 0:10 BB:K suggests that batting average is just a small-sample mirage, and unlike Keon Broxton and Juan Lagares, Davis isn't already on the 40-man roster. Despite the hits, he should still be considered a longshot to break camp with the Mets.
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Mets' Rajai Davis: Drives in two runs
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Davis was 2-for-3 with a double, a home run and two RBI in Tuesday's spring loss to the Tigers.
Davis joined the Mets on a minor-league deal in December and got the starting nod in left field Tuesday. The 38-year-old has a difficult path to playing time with Jeff McNeil transitioning to the outfield.
