Kansas City Royals' left-handed starting pitcher Danny Duffy is expected to miss his next scheduled start after being diagnosed with rotator cuff inflammation in his left shoulder, which an MRI had revealed.
According to Andy McCullough of The Kansas City Star, the Royals plan on evaluating Duffy again in about three or four days. When they reevaluate Duffy, the Royals will make a decision on whether or not they should shut him down for the rest of the season.
Danny Duffy, a 25-year-old southpaw from Goleta, California, left his start on Saturday against the New York Yankees after just one pitch, as Evan Petzold wrote on Saturday. The aftermath of a potential loss of Duffy for the rest of the season could be very devastating to a Royals team that is only leading the American League Central by one game over the Detroit Tigers.
With that said, Kansas City doesn't really have deep rotation options besides their starting five in their rotation, as many fear that right-handed flame-thrower Yordano Ventura won't be able to make it through a potential playoff run in October.
In his first season back from undergoing Tommy John surgery, Duffy has been absolutely outstanding, as he has given the Royals a lot to look for in the future. With the likelihood of right-handed ace James Shields leaving for costless agency in the offseason, Duffy and Ventura will be looked upon in the next couple seasons to carry the Royals' pitching staff.
Duffy has an 8-11 record with a 2.42 ERA in 141 and 1/3 innings pitched this season, He also has a 6.88 K/9, 3.18 BB/9, 3.68 FIP, and a 3.5 WAR on the 2014 season.