December 28, 2025
Analysis
Avila pitched in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball in 2025, logging a 4.04 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 61:30 K:BB in 82.1 innings while primarily working as a starter. The split contract means he will earn a higher salary for whatever portion of the season he spends in the majors. Given his poor 17.8 percent strikeout rate and middling 43.9 percent groundball rate in Japan, Avila will likely be used as a low-leverage reliever if he makes the big club out of spring training.