Duffy and the Royals have agreed to a one-year, $2.425 million deal to avoid arbitration, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports. Duffy is coming off a breakout year in which he finally got his walk rate under control (a career-low 3.2 per nine innings) and registered a very good 2.55 ERA in 141 innings as a starter. This ends the 26-year-old's first round of arbitration,.

Duffy is expected to work exclusively as a long reliever during the ALDS, Josh Vernier of FOX Sports Kansas City reports. There was some talk that Duffy could be an option to start Game 4, but manager Ned Yost said Jeremy Guthrie is likely to get the nod, assuming the series gets that far. Duffy will thus be relegated to long relief, though Yost said the decision was not made due to any lingering issues with Duffy's shoulder.

Duffy is expected to work as a long reliever in the ALDS but could be a candidate to start Game 4, Andy McCullough of the Kansas City Star reports. Jason Vargas and Yordano Ventura are penciled in to start Games 1 and 2, respectively, with ace James Shields likely to follow Sunday on normal rest. Duffy will likely be available to eat a couple innings in the days ahead, but ideally the Royals would hold him out to start Monday, as the only other real option would be Jeremy Guthrie, or perhaps Vargas on short rest.

Duffy (shoulder) won Monday against the Indians as he allowed six hits and two walks to go along with five strikeouts in six scoreless innings. Duffy pitched very well in his first start in over two weeks and now has a 2.32 ERA and 1.09 WHIP overall. He may not get another start in the regular season depending on where the Royals stand in the playoff hunt. If they have secured a spot by his next turn, they may hold him back until the playoffs begin.

Duffy (shoulder) threw a bullpen session during the ninth inning of Friday's game, Andy McCullough of the Kansas City Star reports. The lefty was already in line to start Monday against Cleveland after completing a four-inning simulated game earlier in the week, but he should be officially in the clear following Friday's session. In four appearances (three starts) against the Indians this season, spanning 21.2 innings, Duffy has allowed just five earned runs (2.08 ERA) with 21 strikeouts against just five walks.

Duffy (shoulder) is in line to start Monday against the Indians, MLB.com reports. Duffy was pleased with how his four-inning simulated game went Tuesday, saying he felt "better than normal" during the live session. He incorporated all four of his pitches, totaling about 60 throws. The lefty has missed three starts due to shoulder inflammation, but assuming he makes it through one more side session without issue, he'll make two more starts before the end of the regular season.

Duffy (shoulder) will throw a four-inning simulated game Tuesday, Josh Vernier of Fox Sports KC reports. Duffy continues to work back from shoulder soreness, which caused him to be removed from his last start on September 6. He experienced no pain during a light bullpen session Sunday and appears close to returning. Manager Ned Yost indicated Duffy is healthy, but rusty, so the simulated game is likely geared toward building back strength in the shoulder.

Duffy (shoulder) felt no pain during his light bullpen session Sunday, Andy McCullough of the Kansas City Star reports. It's encouraging that Duffy was able to make it through Sunday's session without setback. The Royals have still not decided whether or not he will start Tuesday, but it seems he has passed the necessary steps to do so.

Duffy (shoulder) will throw a light bullpen session Sunday and hopes to start Tuesday, Andy McCullough of the Kansas City Star reports. Duffy made about 30 throws from 75 feet Friday, and will take another step towards returning Sunday after missing a couple turns in the rotation due to the injury. He hopes to return Tuesday, giving the Royals their fifth arm in the rotation back as they continue to fight for a playoff spot.

Duffy (shoulder) made about 30 throws from 75 feet Friday, Joel Goldberg of FOX Sports Kansas City reports. The lefty made it through the session pain-free, but with a return to elevated ground still not scheduled, his chances of being ready to go Tuesday against the White Sox seem rather slim. Duffy was forced off the hill his last time out after just one pitch, but his shoulder was shown to be structurally sound, with his MRI revealing just rotator cuff inflammation.