KC Royals Add 5 Players, Including Closer Wade Davis

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:

The Kansas City Royals will have a full bench on Friday, curing their lack of reserve infielders after calling up both Hunter Dozier and Whit Merrifield. Tony Cruz will give manager Ned Yost a third catcher, and Gore becomes another pinch running speed demon off the bench. After adding Brooks Pounders and Scott Alexander, the bullpen also gets closer Wade Davis back.

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.

The Kansas City Royals bullpen enjoyed a 41.2 inning scoreless string in August without Davis. 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.

Next: 5 Reasons The KC Royals Pen Is Dominating Opponents

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.