Brewers sign free agent Doug Davis

MILWAUKEE – The Milwaukee Brewers today signed free agent LHP Doug Davis to a one-year contract with a mutual option for 2011. The announcement was made by Executive Vice President and General Manager Doug Melvin.

“Doug has been a very durable pitcher throughout his career,” said Melvin. “His ability to produce quality starts gives our club a chance to win each time he takes the mound. Doug has pitched here before and indicated an interest in returning to Milwaukee because of his relationship with the organization and fans and his desire to have a chance to pitch in the postseason.”

Davis, 34, went 9-14 with a 4.12 ERA in 34 starts with Arizona last season. He made 22 quality starts, which was third among National League lefthanders behind the Dodgers’ Randy Wolf (24, now with the Brewers) and the Astros’ Wandy Rodriguez (23). He ranked fifth among National League lefties with 203.1 innings pitched as he reached 200.0 innings for the fourth time in his career.

Davis owns a career record of 90-97 with a 4.31 ERA in 289 games, including 269 starts, during 11 seasons with Texas (1999-2003), Toronto (2003), Milwaukee (2003-06) and Arizona (2007-09). He has made at least 33 starts in five of the last six seasons. The only season during this period in which he did not produce at least 33 starts was in 2008, when he made 26 starts as he underwent treatment for thyroid cancer. Davis has made 118 quality starts since 2004, which ranks seventh in the Major Leagues, fourth among lefthanders.

During his first stint with the Brewers, Davis went 37-36 with a 3.92 ERA in 111 starts. He was traded to the Diamondbacks on November 25, 2006, along with LHP Dana Eveland and OF Dave Krynzel, in exchange for C Johnny Estrada, RHP Greg Aquino and RHP Claudio Vargas.