Duda is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Twins, Lynn Worthy of The Kansas City Star reports.

EDGE Analysis

With a lefty (Martin Perez) on the bump for Minnesota, Duda will retreat to the bench while Whit Merrifield picks up a start at first base. Upon returning from the injured list Thursday, Duda started in the first two games of the series, going 0-for-6 with two strikeouts.

Duda (back) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Duda has been sidelined since the end of April with a lumbar strain, but he's ready to rejoin the Royals after completing a 12-game rehab assignment with Triple-A Omaha during which he slashed .286/.348/.429 with one homer and a 4:0 BB:K. Prior to landing on the IL, Duda slashed .174/.304/.326 with two homers and eight RBI in 18 games. Kelvin Gutierrez was optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move, though he'll stick around for Thursday's game against the Tigers before reporting to Omaha.

Duda (back) served as Triple-A Omaha's designated hitter Sunday in a rehab game against El Paso, going 0-for-3 with a walk.

EDGE Analysis

Duda didn't turn in a noteworthy performance in his 11th rehab game, but he's been largely productive during his time at Omaha, with a .316/.381/.474 slash line across 42 plate appearances. He appears to have made a full recovery from the lumbar strain that has kept him out of commission for the Royals since late April and should be days away from returning from the 10-day injured list.

Duda (back) began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Omaha on Tuesday, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

It was reported Saturday that Duda wasn't close to beginning his rehab assignment, but evidently "not close" means "three days away." Duda hit .174/.304/.326 in 18 games before suffering a lumbar strain in late April.

Duda is still having back issues and is not close to embarking on a rehab assignment, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Duda has been out with a lumbar strain since late April. He was reportedly close to a rehab assignment in mid-May but has seemingly made no progress since then. His expected return date remains unclear.

Duda (back) is close to beginning a minor-league rehab assignment, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Duda has been sidelined since April 26 with a lumbar strain. He underwent a follow-up MRI on Tuesday, but everything came back clean and the veteran slugger was able to field grounders and take batting practice prior to Wednesday's game against the Rangers.

Duda was placed on the 10-day injured list Friday due to a lumbar strain, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Duda's injury seemingly came out of the blue, and he'll be required to spend at least the next 10 days on the shelf. In a corresponding move, Kelvin Gutierrez was recalled from Triple-A Omaha.

Duda is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Rays.

EDGE Analysis

Duda heads to the bench after starting nine of the Royals' past 10 games, during which he went 6-for-27 with two home runs and an 8:6 BB:K. With Ryan O'Hearn locked in as the team's top first baseman and Jorge Soler often seeing time at designated hitter, Duda doesn't have a direct path to an everyday role, but manager Ned Yost will get creative and find ways to get Duda in the lineup if he continues to showcase a patient eye at the plate.

Duda will serve as the Royals' designated hitter and will bat seventh Saturday against the Yankees.

EDGE Analysis

Duda's opportunities were limited early on in the season, but he'll be included in the lineup for the eighth time in nine games Saturday. The slugger has only produced four hits over that span, but two were home runs and he's also drawn eight walks against only four strikeouts.

Duda went 2-for-4 with a solo home run Tuesday against the White Sox.

EDGE Analysis

Duda took Reynaldo Lopez deep in the second inning to tally the Royals' sole run of the game and his second homer of the season. He has seen inconsistent at-bats early in the campaign, with his most recent string of playing time coinciding with Billy Hamilton's absence from the lineup. He has taken advantage of recent at-bats, recording both of his homers within the last three games.