Manager Ned Yost confirmed that Duffy would make his next scheduled start Saturday against the Cardinals, but noted that the lefty needs to show improvement in order to maintain his spot in the rotation, MLB.com's Jeffrey Flanagan reports. Duffy entered the season with high expectations after posting a 2.53 ERA and 1.11 WHIP across 149.1 innings last season, but he's largely struggled to replicate that success. Though his strikeout rate is up from a year ago, Duffy's control has betrayed him, as his walk rate sits at an unpalatable 10.7 percent. The control issues, coupled with a .293 batting average against -- up nearly 90 points from a year earlier -- have put Duffy's job on notice with Jason Vargas (elbow) due to return from the DL soon. Since Duffy still has minor-league options remaining, he'd likely be the most vulnerable to losing a rotation spot if he's unable to turn things around during Saturday's start.

Duffy took the loss Saturday, allowing four runs on four hits and four walks over five innings, striking out three. He's been wretched since the calendar flipped to May, posting a 13.03 ERA and 7:10 K:BB ratio in 9.2 innings over three starts on the month. Duffy's next turn in the rotation comes next Saturday, at home to the Cardinals, but you may want to keep him away from your active roster until he shows signs of finding the strike zone again.

Duffy only lasted 3.2 innings Monday against the Rangers, walking six batters and giving up six earned runs on five hits. This was Duffy's second loss of the season. He's only pitched a combined 4.2 innings in his past two starts now and has given up 10 earned runs in that span. He'll try to turn things around Saturday against the Yankees in his next start.

Duffy gave up four runs on six hits over just one inning of work in the Royals 10-3 loss to Cleveland on Wednesday. Duffy only made it through one inning, surrendering six hits and four runs on 45 pitches. He didn't walk a batter, nor did he strike out one but he was getting banged around pretty bad. He now holds an ERA of 4.55 on the year with a record of 2-1.

Duffy (2-0) allowed seven hits, two walks, and one run to go with seven strikeouts to pick up the win over the Tigers on Thursday. Duffy pitched shutout ball into the eighth until he gave up a leadoff triple to Jose Iglesias then an RBI single to Rajai Davis before being replaced by Jason Frasor. The Royals gave Duffy plenty of run support with eight runs as Kansas City defeated the Tigers, 8-1. Duffy's next scheduled start will be against Cleveland on Wednesday.

Duffy fanned three and walked one while giving up an unearned run on six hits over 5.1 innings against the White Sox on Friday night. Although he exited with a 2-1 lead, Duffy did not factor in the decision Friday as the game was tied at 2-2 upon being suspended due to rain after the eighth inning. Through four starts, the left-hander has only pitched into the sixth inning once this season. Duffy's next start is scheduled for Wednesday in Cleveland.

Duffy allowed three runs on six hits and a walk over 6.1 innings Monday against the Twins, striking out three while getting the win. It was a close game for a while for Duffy before the Royals' offense exploded and the Twins' defense imploded. He's off to a bit of a choppy start (6.35 ERA) in his first two games, but the Royals have picked him up.

Duffy allowed five earned runs on eight hits over five frames in Wednesday's victory over the White Sox. Duffy didn't start the season on a particularly high note, but on the bright side, the left-hander struck out five and issued zero walks. The Royals still managed to escape with the victory following a Lorenzo Cain eighth-inning homer, leaving the left-hander with a no-decision. Duffy plans to throw heavy innings this season as the Royals' second starter, so look at this as merely a small bump in the road.

Duffy owns a 4.91 ERA over five Cactus League starts in 2015. Duffy will occupy the second spot in the Kansas City rotation in the upcoming season, following Yordano Ventura, per FOX Sports Kansas City. The left-hander plans on getting plenty of turns in the Royals' rotation, and hopes to log over 200 innings in the 2015 season. Issues with fatigue and other minor ailments held him back towards the end of 2014, but Duffy has improved his conditioning greatly with his sights set on the long haul. The 26-year-old could be a valuable sleeper in 2015, especially in dynasty formats.

Duffy hopes to reach 200 innings in the 2015 season, the Kansas City Star reports.Duffy has made it a priority to improve his physical condition over the offseason, and Royals' brass have certainly taken notice to the condition he arrived to camp in. He's placed a greater emphasis on revamping his diet, as well as strengthening exercises, and has effectively reported to camp 17 pounds heavier than last season's playing weight. The left-hander recorded 149.1 frames after earning a spot in the rotation in 2014, but a ribcage injury greatly limited what he was able to do during the Royals' postseason run. Duffy should have a rotation spot from the get-go this year, and if he's able to reach his stated goal, the fantasy numbers should follow. Over 31 games (25 starts) in 2014, Duffy posted a respectable 2.53 ERA and 6.8 K/9 rate.