The Los Angeles Dodgers re-signed Danny Duffy to a one-year contract with a team option for the 2023 season.
Duffy returns to the team despite not throwing a pitch for the Dodgers after being acquired from the Kansas City Royals at the trade deadline during the 2021 season. Three months after that, Minor Leaguer Zach Willeman was sent as the player to be named later to complete the trade.
Duffy was on the 10-day injured list at the time of being traded to L.A. as he was recovering from a left flexor strain that had kept him out of action for multiple weeks. The Dodgers and Duffy were optimistic he would make a full recovery, but that never came to be.
Progress stalled and Duffy later failed to make it through a throwing session at Dodger Stadium due to a left elbow issue that prompted him to be shut down for the remainder of the year.
The 33-year-old underwent offseason surgery to repair his left flexor tendon, and envisions a return in June.
Duffy follows in the footsteps of Clayton Kershaw, Jimmy Nelson and Shane Greene as pitchers who were with the Dodgers last season and have re-signed. Though, Greene’s return came on a Minor League contract with a non-roster invite to Spring Training.
Of that group, Nelson is the least likely to pitch this year. He underwent underwent Tommy John surgery and a flexor tendon repair last August, and was placed on the 60-day injured list in order to clear a spot on the Dodgers’ 40-man roster for the signing of Duffy.
Nelson was effective when able to pitch last year, going 1-2 with a 1.86 ERA and 44 strikeouts over 28 games (one start). His one-year contract includes a team option for the 2023 season.
Duffy himself took a turn on the 60-day IL when the Dodgers need to free up a spot on their 40-man roster in order to finalize the signing of Freddie Freeman to a six-year, $162 million contract.
Duffy appreciative of Dodgers’ opportunity
Being traded to the Dodgers last season not only meant a homecoming for Duffy, but also a chance to be part of the team he grew up rooting for.
“It’s really, really cool,” Duffy said after the trade. “I can’t understate that. 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.”
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