Dodgers: Deadline Acquisition Danny Duffy ‘A Ways Away’ from Return
Those anticipating the debut of left-handed pitcher Danny Duffy in a Dodgers uniform will have to continue exercising patience as club manager Dave Roberts said their newly acquired arm is still a couple weeks away from live action.
“I think he is a ways away,” Roberts said when asked about Duffy’s status on Tuesday. “And I say that it’s a couple weeks.”
Duffy, who was acquired from the Kansas City Royals at the trade deadline, is dealing with a left flexor strain that has kept him sidelined since mid-May.
Roberts said Duffy is progressively working his way back and playing catch from somewhere between 90 and 120 feet.
“He’s letting it go, keeping at that low trajectory playing catch,” Roberts said of Duffy’s strenuous efforts to get back on the field. “So it’s a good effort throw. I don’t know the timing of when he’s going to get on the mound. So once that does happen, I think we’ll know more but I just don’t know right now.”
The 32-year-old veteran has been used, predominantly, as a starter throughout his career but his delayed return means he will see a different role from what he’s accustomed to.
It was confirmed by the Dodgers skipper that Duffy will be used strictly out of the bullpen upon returning to the team.
“Obviously, it’s solely a bullpen option right now,” Roberts said. “I think everyone has loved having him around. And he’s going to do everything he can to pitch for us this year so that’s something that I’m hopeful for still.”
For what it’s worth, Duffy has said in the past that he’s open to and excited about the idea of pitching in relief. Notably, that’s something he’s done exclusively over his postseason career spanning 9 games which netted him a World Series ring in 2015 with KC.
Duffy currently owns a 4-3 record with a 2.51 ERA and 65 K’s on the season.
NEXT: Tony Gonsolin Nearing Minor League Rehab Assignment
If Duffy is 100% around mid-September he will be a great add to the bullpen.
“I think he is a ways away,” Roberts said when asked about Duffy’s status on Tuesday. “And I say that it’s a couple weeks.”
Well he’s a couple of weeks away from being eligible to return, so duh. Where he is at right now, just throwing catch, he’ll be ready just in time for the end of the regular season. He has to progress to throwing bullpen, throwing to hitters, and rehab assignment. Theoretically, he could be of use in the post season.
Why am I not surprised? Another inured player brought in by Friedman is depressing to say the least. That said, in 2 weeks will Duffy go the way Cole Hamels went? I’m not holding my breath Duffy will return.
The downside to these signings is negligible, and he also brought in guys like TT, Scherzer, Vesia, and Bickford, so take a prozac and cheer up.
exactly – AF has discovered a secret to sticking up on arms throughout the season and makes it work to perfection.
Duffy is a FA after this year if I recall right.
Yea Duffy is a free agent after this season, but, this guys from LA, and will do what the Dodgers need, so I would get rid of some of this dead weight we have in the bull pen, and keep guys like duffy that would be perfect in the bullpen? I also would like to see the Dodgers trade Tony Gonsolin, obviously we are going to sign Sherzer to a deal that would probably keep him here for the remainder of his carrier? If we need a fifth starter, I really hope we look at possibly signing this kid from the Braves Fried, he is good, and could possible be a future LA star. The Dodgers care more about winning then a luxury tax , they have made that pretty clear, number one is to re-sign Seager, and drop the money , and the dead weight in the pen, we signed alot of those guys for one year, we need a true new closer, I think the Dodgers might think about turning Duffy into a closerif we feel he is up for it, and I would like to see one more big bat??