Report: Phillies sign left-handed starter to minor league deal

The Phillies have been active in the relief pitcher market this offseason, shoring up the bullpen with acquisitions like Brad Keller and Jonathan Bowlan. Tuesday, they reportedly made a move to add starting pitching depth instead.

Per Will Sammon of The Athletic, league sources say the Phillies are in agreement with left-handed pitcher Tucker Davidson on a minor league contract.

Davidson, 29, began his career as an Atlanta Brave and started four games during their 2021 World Series season; he also started Game 5 of the World Series after replacing an injured Charlie Morton on the roster. Following short stints with the Los Angeles Angels and Kansas City Royals, he last pitched in the majors in Sept. 2024, when he appeared in one game for the Baltimore Orioles.

Davidson is coming off a strong season in the KBO. He started 22 games for the Lotte Giants and posted a 3.65 ERA in 123 1/3 innings of work. 

This is a low risk, high reward signing for Dave Dombrowski and the Phillies. With 56 major league games under his belt since 2020, Davidson has experience, and he could provide a boost to a Lehigh Valley IronPigs roster that lacks starting pitching. Davidson will turn 30 a day before 2026 Opening Day. If his KBO success translates and he appears in the majors, great; if not, well, the only thing the Phillies stand to lose is an inexpensive minor league salary.

On a fun note: obviously, the Phillies have not signed marquee free agent Kyle Tucker. However, they have now signed both a Kyle (Schwarber) and a Tucker (Davidson) this offseason. There's a small chuckle to be had there for people (me) that care about silly coincidences like that.

Davidson will likely serve as a Spring Training body for the Phillies, where he'll have the chance to show off his stuff. In all likelihood, he'll be a member of the IronPigs' starting rotation come summer.

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