The young hurler will miss at least one start before his status is reevaluated.
Kansas City' Royals left-hander Danny Duffy is scheduled to miss his next start after being diagnosed with rotator cuff inflammation, an MRI revealed. Per Andy McCullough of The Kansas City Star, the club plans on reevaluating Duffy in three to four days, at which time they may choose to shut him down for the remainder of the season.
The 25-year-old southpaw left Saturday's start against the Yankeesafter just one pitch, leading many to worry that recent Tommy John surgery survivor may have blown out his elbow again. The loss of Duffy for the remainder of the season could be devastating to a Royals club that is clinging to just a one game lead over the Detroit Tigers in the AL Central. On top of that, the team doesn't have much depth beyond its starting five, and there certainly has to be some concerns about Yordano Ventura possibly holding up through October.
A one time highly regarded prospect, Duffy has been brilliant in his first season back from Tommy John. He has emerged as a potential rotation building block for the Royals, teaming with the 23-year-old Ventura to form a very formidable young duo that could help lessen the blow of potentially losing James Shields this winter. In 141.1 innings this season, Duffy has a 2.42 ERA, 3.68 FIP, 6.88 K/9, 3.18 BB/9, and 3.5 WAR.