Orioles place Chris Davis on paternity leave, add Hundley
The Baltimore Orioles have placed star first baseman Chris Davis on paternity leave and replaced him with catcher Nick Hundley.
More from Baltimore Orioles
- Shohei Ohtani trade rumors live tracker: Every update so far
- MLB Rumors: Potential Braves reunion, Lance Lynn no-trade clause and Orioles deadline intentions
- MLB Rumors: Cardinals budging on Arenado, Orioles-Ohtani package, Yankees backup plan
- MLB Rumors: Shohei Ohtani, Angels, Dodgers, Rich Hill
- NY Mets: 4 monstrous trade packages for Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer
The defending American League home run king was put on leave as he and his wife, Jill, are expecting their first child. Davis missed Sunday’s game, and will likely also miss Monday’s contest before joining the Orioles to face the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday.
His short-term replacement, Nick Hundley, was acquired in a trade with the San Diego Padres on Saturday, as the Orioles sent left handed relief pitcher Troy Patton out west to complete the deal. Hundley has been struggling at the plate and behind it, as he’s allowed nine stolen bases without catching a single runner this season.
The Orioles also recalled right handed pitcher Preston Guilmet from their Triple-A affiliate in Norfolk, and optioned utility infielder Steve Lombardozzi to Norfolk. Lombardozzi was used as a stop-gap in order to fill out the roster while the O’s waited on Hundley’s arrival.
Chris Davis led the American League in home runs in 2013 with 53, as well as RBI with 138. His 2013 home run total was the highest in Orioles franchise history, and the most in the AL since 2010. His 2014 campaign has started out slow, however, as he has just 7 homers and 25 RBI.