While much of the focus at the trade deadline this season understandably was on the Los Angeles Dodgers adding Max Scherzer and Trea Turner, they additionally looked to improve their roster by acquiring Danny Duffy from the Kansas City Royals.
Duffy was on the 10-day injured list at the time because of a second left flexor strain this season, but there was hope he could return by September at the latest. The Dodgers did make it clear they would be patient with Duffy’s recovery, and the timetable shifted a bit when he was transferred to the 60-day IL.
That amounted to Duffy not being eligible to return until Wednesday, Sept. 15. He had been on a methodical throwing program largely consisting of playing catch but advanced to throwing a bullpen session on Sunday.
“Duff was really good. Fastball, curveball, change, and he looked really good,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.
Duffy was accompanied by Clayton Kershaw also getting off the mound in preparation for his rehab start with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Tuesday.
“Big day for both those guys,” Roberts said.
While Kershaw is advancing to getting into a game, Duffy is further behind. “I think it’s continue to play catch and in a few days he’ll probably do it (bullpen session) again,” Roberts said.
“I think after the next one we’ll probably entertain a simulated game.”
Duffy preparing for Dodgers bullpen
At the time of trading for the 32-year-old, the Dodgers expected to stretch him out as a starter. However, with time in the regular season beginning to run short, the left-hander is expected to fill a role out of the bullpen.
That won’t be of much change for Duffy, who has expressed a willingness to pitch in any capacity the Dodgers need.
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