Baltimore Orioles first baseman Chris Davis retired Thursday, roughly three months after the former All-Star slugger had his hip surgically repaired.
Davis led MLB in home runs in 2013 and 2015, though his production plummeted shortly after he signed a franchise record seven-year, $161-million contract in 2016.
"After an extended time dealing with my injury and recent hip surgery, I informed the Orioles about my decision to retire effective today," he said in a statement.
"I want to thank the Orioles partnership group, led by the Angelos family, the Orioles organization, my teammates and coaches, the University of Maryland Children's Hospital, with whom I will continue to be involved following my retirement, and, of course, Birdland. Thank you for all the many memories that I will cherish forever."
Davis debuted with the Texas Rangers in 2008 but was eventually traded to the Orioles along with pitcher Tommy Hunter for reliever Koji Uehara. He quickly became one of the top power hitters in the majors, blasting 53 homers in 2013 and 47 dingers in 2015.
But from 2017-19, he slashed a measly .188/.276/.350 while averaging 18 home runs per season. He appeared in only 16 games in 2020, struggling mightily before a knee injury put him on the shelf.
The 35-year-old began the 2021 campaign on the injured list with a back strain. He underwent hip surgery without playing a game.
The Orioles will still pay Davis the $17 million he's due in 2022 but will spread the payments out over several years rather than send him a lump sum, reports Dan Connolly of The Athletic.
