Kansas City Royals finally shut down Danny Duffy for season
By David Hill
The Kansas City Royals have mercifully shut Danny Duffy down for the rest of the 2018 campaign, a move that should have been made a while ago.
The 2018 campaign has been a disaster for Kansas City Royals presumed ace Danny Duffy. Even though Kansas City was not expected to contend for the playoffs, the hope was that Duffy would take another step back towards his status as a potential ace for the Royals. In the second year of a long term extension with Kansas City, 2018 was a critical year.
Instead, Duffy has battled injury and inconsistency. Both of those reared their ugly heads on Tuesday, as he left after allowing three runs while recording just two outs, as his left shoulder has once again become problematic. This time, the Royals are set to shut Duffy down for the rest of the year.
Ned confirmed that Danny Duffy is done for the season. Duffy can’t have another anti-inflammatory shot this soon so makes sense to shut him down. Ned also said he may stick with 6-man rotation and give either Skoglund or Sparkman some starts.
— Jeffrey Flanagan (@FlannyMLB) September 5, 2018
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This marks a disappointing end to another disappointing season for Duffy. While he made a career best 28 starts, he averaged only five and a half innings per start. Overall, Duffy posted an 8-13 record with a 4.88 ERA and a 1.490 WHiP, striking out 141 batters, with 70 walks, in his 155 innings. That 4.1 BB/9 rate was the highest for Duffy since 2013, when he made just five appearances in his return from Tommy John surgery.
Getting Duffy healthy will be a key part to the Royals hopes for next year and the immediate future. As general manager Dayton Moore has stated, Kansas City does not plan to have an extensive rebuild. Adding some talent to the top of the minor league depth chart was made with that idea in mind.
Even if the Royals struggle in 2019, they are going to want Duffy to be back to his previous form. Should the quick reset not go as well as hoped, Duffy could be an attractive trade chip, even with his extension. He has displayed glimpses of dominance, but those injury woes have limited his consistency.
Next. The quietly good Brad Keller. dark
The Kansas City Royals have made the decision to shut Danny Duffy down for the year. Given their plans for 2019, this is a move that needed to happen.