Duffy allowed one earned run on six hits and a walk while striking out six across six innings Thursday against the Rays. He did not factor into the decision.

EDGE Analysis

Duffy kept the Royals close in a low-scoring game, holding the Rays without an extra-base hit across his six innings of work. He also generated 18 swinging strikes despite his fastball velocity falling about one tick from his season-debut. Overall, this start was a step forward for Duffy, though he'll draw a touch matchup pitching at Houston in his next outing, likely to come on Tuesday.

Duffy (0-1) took the loss Friday, allowing three runs on five hits and three walks over five innings while striking out one as the Royals dropped a 5-1 decision to the Angels.

EDGE Analysis

The southpaw wasn't particularly sharp after being activated from the IL prior to Friday's start, throwing 51 of 86 pitches for strikes. Duffy is coming off a shaky 2018, so this isn't the most encouraging beginning to his campaign, but his sub-4.00 ERAs the two years before offer at least a little bit of hope that he could be a useful fantasy arm if he can stay healthy. He'll next take the mound Wednesday, at home against the Rays.

Duffy (shoulder) was activated off of the 10-day injured list Wednesday in advance of his scheduled start Friday against the Angels, Lynn Worthy of The Kansas City Star reports.

EDGE Analysis

Duffy was cleared for his big-league return earlier in the week after striking out seven in 5.1 scoreless innings in his rehab start for Double-A Northwest Arkansas on Saturday. The southpaw will slide into a regular rotation spot going forward . The corresponding move optioned Tim Hill to Triple-A Omaha.

Manager Ned Yost said Duffy (shoulder) is scheduled to start against the Angels on Friday, Lynn Worthy of The Kansas City Star reports

EDGE Analysis

As expected, Duffy has been cleared to make his 2019 big-league debut after firing 5.1 scoreless innings in a rehab start for Double-A Northwest Arkansas on Saturday, allowing four hits while striking out seven. The southpaw posted a 4.88 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 8.2 K/9 across 28 starts for the Royals last season (155 innings).

Duffy (shoulder) will probably make his next start with the Royals, possibly Friday against the Angels, Rustin Dodd of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

General manager Dayton Moore still needs to sign off on Duffy's return, but manager Ned Yost thinks Duffy is going to join the team next weekend. He logged 5.1 scoreless innings in a rehab start Saturday for Double-A Northwest Arkansas, allowing four hits while striking out seven.

Duffy (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Arkansas on Saturday, Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Duffy has been battling left shoulder tightness since the start of camp. If he needs just one rehab start, he could be back in late April, but the more likely scenario is that he comes back sometime in early May.

Duffy (shoulder) is likely still a couple weeks away from returning to the Royals' rotation, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Given the fact that he threw 46 pitches Wednesday, if he stays on the same throwing schedule, he could return to start April 20 or April 26, with the latter date lining up better with Flanagan's report.

Duffy (shoulder) threw 46 pitches Wednesday, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Duffy is advancing in his throwing program after shoulder tightness in spring training kept him off the Opening Day roster. He's expected to throw 60-65 pitches Monday as he works back to form and rebuilds his stamina. The Royals opted to use only four pitchers in their starting rotation for the opening two weeks thanks to a easy schedule that has allowed pitchers to remain on regular rest. With fewer off days coming up, they're moving to a five-man rotation and have called up Heath Fillmyer to fill the final spot. In 13 starts for the Royals in 2018, the 24-year-old posted a 4.56 ERA and 1.38 WHIP. Once Duffy returns, it's possible Fillmyer may find himself back in the minors.

Duffy (shoulder) will throw 50 pitches in a minor-league game Tuesday, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Shoulder tightness has kept Duffy off the mound until this point, but he appears to be on track to return relatively soon. The length of Tuesday's outing suggests that he may need at least one more before being activated from the injured list.

The Royals placed Duffy (shoulder) on the 10-day injured list Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Duffy's move to the IL was inevitable after he experienced shoulder tightness early in camp and was never able to join the Cactus League pitching schedule. He'll thus remain at extended spring training to begin the season while advancing through his throwing program. He faced hitters in live batting practice Monday and could soon be ready to take another step forward by pitching in a simulated game.