Move to bullpen catapulted Davis' career

After dealing with injuries in 2016, Wade Davis was dealt to the World Series champs, bringing his elite ratios and strong K-rate to the 9thKansas City was competing for the American League Wild Card that year, Yost said, and he felt that having the right-hander in the bullpen would give the Royals more options at the end of the season.

"The first time I brought him in a ballgame as a reliever, he was 96, 97 miles an hour," Yost said. "Wade was throwing 91, 92 miles an hour as a starter."

Yost knew he'd made the right move on Sept. 7, 2013, in Davis' second relief outing. The Royals and Tigers were tied at 1 heading into the top of the fifth. Detroit loaded the bases with one out, and Davis…