Kansas City Royals: Danny Duffy placed on DL with oblique strain

The Kansas City Royals placed left-handed pitcher Danny Duffy on the 10-day DL Monday due to an oblique strain.

According to Royals beat reporter Jeffrey Flanagan, the team placed Danny Duffy on the 10-day DL. Duffy suffered a grade one oblique strain. The Royals expect Duffy to miss anywhere from six to eight weeks.

Already in a down year, where the Royals find themselves in last place in the AL Central, they now must compete without their best pitcher for about two months. Despite their 21-28 record, Kansas City finds itself just 6.5 games out of first place in the division.

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As for Duffy in 2017, he owned a 4-4 record, a 3.54 ERA, a 3.43 FIP, a 1.369 WHIP and 54 strikeouts. During the offseason, the Royals signed Duffy to a five-year, $65 million extension.

During the World Baseball Classic in March, Duffy showed his true potential. He pitched in two games, posted a 1.13 ERA while striking out eight batters and earning two wins. Duffy played a big factor in Team USA winning the Classic championship.

After the death of Yordano Ventura in the offseason, the Royals lost their ace. Duffy appeared as the next pitcher in line as the ace of the staff.

The 28-year-old had an up-and-down first two months of the season. Duffy exceeded expectations in his first four starts of the season. In each start, Duffy earned a quality start and in two of those games, he got the win. In 27.1 innings of work, he allowed just four runs and struck out 22 batters.

His next two starts were the complete opposite of his first four. In both starts, he allowed six earned runs. He pitched 9.2 innings, gave up 19 hits and struck out just five batters. Both of those outings came against the Chicago White Sox.

Then Duffy pitched well again in his next four outings. He earned quality starts in all four of those starts. In 27.2 innings, he allowed five earned runs and struck out 25 batters. Duffy’s eight quality starts rank sixth best in baseball.

In his most recent outing against the Cleveland Indians, Duffy struggled again. In four innings pitched, he allowed six earned runs on nine hits and three walks. He struck out two batters.

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Duffy joins other Royals’ starter, Nate Karns on the DL. Karns went on the DL with nerve irritation. The four pitchers that remain in the Royals’ rotation right now include Ian Kennedy, Jason Vargas, Jason Hammel and Miguel Almonte.

By the time Duffy makes it back onto the mound, the Royals might already be sellers.