Dodgers acquire left-handed pitcher Danny Duffy from Royals
SAN FRANCISCO — The Dodgers acquired left-hander Danny Duffy from the Kansas City Royals on Thursday for a player to be named later, the team announced. The Dodgers also received cash considerations from the Royals.
Duffy, 32, is on the injured list because of a flexor strain but he is expected to return in August. Though he has been a starter for most of his 11-year career, he could serve in a high-leverage, multiinning relief role for the Dodgers, much like Julio Urias has in recent seasons.
Three-time Cy Young winner Max Scherzer could be on the verge of joining the Dodgers’ National League West rival the San Diego Padres.
The Dodgers are also in need of rotation help having lost Dustin May to season-ending elbow surgery in early May, Trevor Bauer to a domestic-violence investigation in late June and Clayton Kershaw to an elbow injury in early July. Kershaw is expected to return in early August.
Duffy is 4-3 with a 2.51 ERA in 13 games — 12 of them starts — this season, with 65 strikeouts and 22 walks in 61 innings. A graduate of Cabrillo High in Lompoc and a third-round pick of the Royals in 2007, he has a 68-68 career record and 3.95 ERA.
Duffy is making $15.5 million this season and will be a free agent this winter. Duffy waived his rights to veto a trade as a player with 10 years in the big leagues and five with one team.
To make room on the 40-man roster for Duffy, the Dodgers designated outfielder DJ Peters for assignment.
Duffy mixes a fastball that averages 93.1 mph according to Fangraphs with an 83.5-mph slider, a 74-mph curve and an 85.2-mph changeup.
Four years ago, the Lompoc Cabrillo High pitcher was 5 feet 4 and overlooked. Now the senior is 6-3, has a 94 mph, and baseball scouts are clamoring to see him.
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