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Matt Davis is back in a Major League Baseball organization.

After spending last year pitching for the Winnipeg Goldeyes of the independent Northern League and earning an all-star berth, interest was mild for the 26-year-old right-hander.

Then, three weeks before spring training, the Chicago White Sox offered a contract to Davis, a 2000 Mason High graduate.

But so far, it hasn't been what he expected with the Winston-Salem Warthogs, Chicago's Single-A Advanced club.

Davis was placed on the disabled list June 29 with a stress fracture in his right foot, and when he does return, the 6-foot-2, 205-pounder wants to improve his numbers: a 2-1 record and 7.88 ERA.

After getting released by the Cleveland Indians with less than week left in the '07 spring training, Davis went 6-2 with a 2.98 ERA and 18 saves for the Goldeyes.

Davis took some time this week to chat with The Pulse-Journal.

On the season: "Statistically, it's been terrible. There's been a lot of ups and downs to it. It's been disappointing. I'm just staying with it and hoping things turn around the last month and a half of the season."

On his goals: "Obviously, to finish up strong. My long-term goal is to stay with the organization and get a chance to climb the ladder. I think the last month and a half has a lot to do with if they sign me again this offseason or decide to go in a different direction. We'll see."

On playing last year in Winnipeg: "It was a real learning experience. It's a different type of baseball. It's still professional baseball, but you're playing with all kinds of guys. The success was great and everything was good, but I used it as a stepping stone to show teams that I can still pitch."

On where he expected to be now when he was drafted in '03 by the Indians: "Not here. When I got drafted, I thought it'd be two or three years in the minors and then a good professional career. It hasn't worked out that way. But I've enjoyed every bit of it. It's a learning experience every day. It's the game that I love and I enjoy playing. It's given me everything."

Contact this reporter at (513) 755-5113 or smatthews@coxohio.com.