Prior to the Los Angeles Dodgers completing a blockbuster trade to add Max Scherzer and Trea Turner from the Washington Nationals at the deadline in 2021, they addressed their pitching need by acquiring Danny Duffy in a smaller deal with the Kansas City Royals.
Duffy was on the 10-day injured list at the time because of a left flexor tendon strain but the Dodgers were optimistic he would contribute during the second half of the season. Duffy expressed the same sentiment, but he suffered a setback and never pitched again that year.
The Dodgers nevertheless re-signed Duffy to a one-year contract with a team option for 2023.
After another season of not throwing a single pitch for the team, Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said the team plans to decline Duffy’s $7 million option, per Jack Harris of the L.A. Times:
Friedman said the Dodgers are declining Danny Duffy's $7 million club option
— Jack Harris (@Jack_A_Harris) November 9, 2022
Duffy underwent surgery last offseason to repair his flexor tendon and anticipated returning around the midway point of the 2022 season.
The 33-year-old was said to be throwing pain-free in May but three months later was ruled out for the season because of left elbow trouble. However, that wound up being soreness that Duffy overcame and began a rehab assignment with the Arizona Complex League Dodgers before joining Triple-A Oklahoma City.
He pitched in seven games for OKC, throwing 6.2 innings with a 5.40 ERA before the rehab assignment was halted in the middle of September because Duffy was not recovering well between appearances.
Dodgers free agents
The morning after the World Series concluded, the Dodgers saw Tyler Anderson, Joey Gallo, Andrew Heaney, Tommy Kahnle, Clayton Kershaw, Craig Kimbrel, Chris Martin, Kevin Pillar, David Price and Trea Turner reach free agency.
The list of Dodgers free agents has since grown to include Hanser Alberto, Duffy and Jimmy Nelson by way of team options being declined. Justin Turner may be added to that group by Thursday’s deadline to decide on contract options.
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