The Los Angeles Dodgers traded Minor League pitcher Zach Willeman to the Kansas City Royals as the player to be named later to complete their July 29 deal that netted Danny Duffy.
Willeman went 3-2 with a 3.78 ERA and 1.36 WHIP across 33 games for Double-A Tulsa this season in what marked his first time pitching at the level. The right-hander was selected by the Dodgers out of Kent State University in the 19th round of the 2017 MLB Draft.
L.A. acquired Duffy with an eye on bolstering their depleted pitching staff, but he never wound up making an appearance to a left flexor strain that sidelined him for the final two-plus months of the regular season.
The Dodgers initially hoped Duffy would be able to return to the mound in September, but he failed to make it through a throwing session at Dodger Stadium due to a left elbow issue and was shut down for the remainder of the year.
Prior to the setback, Duffy had been excited to join the Dodgers and contribute to their quest for a second World Series title. “It’s really, really cool. I can’t understate that,” the Goleta, California native said in August.
“I’m really fired up and thankful. I’ve got a real thankful heart for all this. The fact that they put their name on me says a lot and means a lot.”
Before joining the Dodgers, Duffy went 4-3 with a 2.51 ERA, 65 strikeouts and 22 walks in 61 innings over 13 games (12 starts) for the Royals this year. He is due to become a free agent after this season.
Dodgers free agents
Along with Duffy, the Dodgers will have decisions to make on several free agents this offseason, including most notably Max Scherzer, Clayton Kershaw and Corey Seager.
Scherzer was another MLB trade deadline acquisition, and arguably the best pickup by any team, as he allowed just five runs over his first nine starts with L.A.
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