Rangers sign first baseman Ike Davis to minor league deal
The Texas Rangers have signed left-handed-hitting first baseman Ike Davis to a minor league deal with an invitation to big league spring training, a club source confirmed.
Davis, who turns 29 on March 22, hit three home runs and 17 doubles with 20 RBIs last season in 214 at-bats with Oakland. He missed most of the last two months after needing surgery for a torn hip labrum.
Davis’ odds to make the club are long with left-handed first baseman Mitch Moreland and designated hitter Prince Fielder ensconced at the positions.
Davis played in 131 games in 2014 for Pittsburgh when Rangers manager Jeff Banister was a coach with the Pirates.
Davis was a first-round draft pick (18th overall) of the New York Mets in 2008 and played his first four full seasons there. He hit a career-high 32 homers with 90 RBIs for the Mets in 2012.
Stefan Stevenson: 817-390-7760, @StevensonFWST
This story was originally published February 14, 2016 at 9:50 PM with the headline "Rangers sign first baseman Ike Davis to minor league deal."