The Royals announced Tuesday that they’ve placed left-hander Danny Duffy and right-hander Brady Singer on the 10-day injured list. Duffy is dealing with a left flexor strain, while Singer is dealing with right shoulder fatigue. Righty Tyler Zuber and first baseman/outfielder Ryan McBroom were recalled from Triple-A in a pair of corresponding moves.
Duffy, 32, spent May 12 through June 23 on the injured list with this same injury. He’d returned to post a 3.72 ERA in 19 1/3 innings across five starts and one relief appearance. Overall, he’s pitched to a 2.51 ERA with a 25.8 percent strikeout rate and an 8.7 percent walk rate through 61 innings this season.
Given the Royals’ poor season and Duffy’s status as a pending free agent, there was some speculation that he could be moved in the coming days. Between Duffy’s health in 2021, his previously vocal stance on spending his whole career in Kansas City, and the fact that he can veto any trade as a 10-and-5 player, a trade might not have been especially likely anyhow. However, this latest IL stint seems to all but eliminate the possibility of a deal coming together.
With the elimination of August trade waivers, there’d be no possibility of Duffy changing hands following the July 30 deadline. He’ll play out the final season of a five-year, $65MM contract extension he signed prior to the 2017 season and reach the open market. That said, the Royals will be in the market for pitching help this winter and could very well look to bring Duffy back on a new contract as a free agent — assuming the current flexor strain doesn’t prove to be too severe, of course.
It’s been an up-and-down season for the 24-year-old Singer, who was hit hard in his season debut before settling into a nice groove. Singer posted excellent numbers in April, struggled immensely in May, and had a solid-but-unspectacular showing in June. That had all balanced out to a 4.52 ERA and a 3.84 FIP through July 7. However, Singer was blown up for seven runs in two innings against the Orioles in his most recent outing, sending his season ERA soaring to 5.13.
The obvious hope for Singer and the Royals is that this does prove to be nothing more than fatigue. While they’re 18 games under .500 and clearly not postseason contenders in 2021, Singer is a former first-round pick and top prospect who is viewed as a key long-term piece for the Royals’ rotation. He logged a 4.06 ERA in 12 starts last year in his Major League debut and is controlled all the way through the 2025 season.
One less starter option for contending teams. The starting pitcher market is very weak right now. Could be a slow trade deadline unless the borderline teams decide to sell.
Someone always gets traded who you didn’t expect, so don’t be surprised if the deadline activity is high. Also, Cole Hamels has entered the race as well and he only costs money.
So what happens now? If KC extends the QO Duffy will take it for sure, so maybe a 3-year extension? Tough to speculate on the dollars when you really don’t know what to expect from him.
Dude, he just went on the DL for the second time in the same season for a “flexor strain.” Likely as not he’s headed for his second TJ surgery and he’s already 32. Pump the brakes on the extension talks, let’s see if he even plays in 2022.
They basically have to QO him if they don’t trade him so.
Prayers for a speedy recovery.
How come I have to hear about Jake Roger’s going on the IL from some fan forum before i read it in the mlb trade rumors / injury hotline?
LOL
RIP he will be missed
Hey MLBTR, please bring back the downvote button just for this guy only.
You’ve been gone for a bit… how have you been Steve
Was hoping he was going to the Mets. Can a player be traded while on the IL? If so, price just plummeted. I would think the Royals would like to unload his contract if they could.
Yup they can
Then you don’t know the Royals.
@jim. Duffy just recently secured 10/5 rights. He’s also made it known he want to only play for the Royals.
Wow… he has been in the league 10 years… hard to believe.
No not 10 years. 7 on the IL 3 as a player.
In Duffy’s case, he has reached his 10/10 rights, so it’s highly unlikely he wants out of KC unless he wants to go ring hunting (again) in the twilight of his career. I know he’s awfully proud of the ring he won in 2015 with KC. Maybe that’s enough for him.
I had heard he might be willing to go to San Diego and win another ring with Hos. At this point I can’t imagine anyone would be willing to give up much for him.
Brady Singer’s refusal to throw a 3rd (off-speed) pitch is so irritating. Royals need to get that situation under control, or let him know that 2-pitch hurlers typically end up in the bullpen and make less money.