Danny Duffy allowed one hit over six innings as the Royals beat the A's 3-0 in a rain-shortened game Tuesday. The game was delayed in the top of the eighth and eventually called. Duffy excelled in this one, striking out eight. A Cliff Pennington double was Oakland's only hit of the game. Duffy, though, did walk four, pushing his pitch count up to 103 over six innings. He has the stuff to put together more outings like this one, but until the command comes, he figures to be inconsistent.

Danny Duffy surrendered seven hits and six runs in 4 2/3 innings Saturday against the Diamondbacks. Duffy has been knocked around in three straight spring outings, but the Royals have committed a starting rotation spot to him and will hope for the best once the regular season opens. The 23-year-old lefty can probably be avoided in most fantasy leagues.

Danny Duffy was knocked around by the Angels Thursday, giving up six runs -- five earned -- on 10 hits and a walk over 3 1/3 innings. He struck out a pair. Duffy drew plenty of praise for his first outing of the spring, but he wasn't very good in his second start and was terrible in this one. Still, he remains an intriguing option in fantasy leagues with his swing-and-miss stuff.

Danny Duffy dominated the Reds in his spring debut Friday, striking out five of the six batters he faced in two scoreless innings of work. Among his strikeout victims were Joey Votto, Jay Bruce and Scott Rolen. Duffy's performance elicited raves from the assembled media, prompting the Kansas City Star's Bob Dutton to proclaim his two innings of work were "as good as (he's) seen in a long time." Fox Sports Kansas City's Joel Goldberg called the outing "dominant." Duffy struggled to a 5.64 ERA and 1.61 WHIP in 105 1/3 innings in 2011, but did tally 87 strikeouts. Baseball America's No. 68 ranked prospect last season, Duffy will open the year in the Royals' rotation, and is a low-risk, high-reward flier for players in mixed leagues.

There's a chance Danny Duffy might make a relief appearance or two before the end of the season. Duffy won't make any more starts as the Royals keep an eye on his workload, but he hasn't officially been completely shut down yet. Most likely, though, he'll just throw a series of bullpen sessions. Either way, he can safely be dropped in fantasy leagues. "He'll just be working on mechanics," manager Ned Yost said. "He might pitch again. If we get into a situation where we're in extra inning and need someone, Duff could do an inning or two. But I doubt we'll do that."

Royals manager Ned Yost said Friday that rookie left-hander Danny Duffy will likely be shut down after his next start Tuesday against the Athletics. Duffy has logged 141 innings between the majors and minors this season, so he is very close to reaching his limit for the year. The 22-year-old left-hander pitched 126 2/3 innings in 2009, but only 62 1/3 innings last year due to personal issues and a minor elbow injury. He has a 5.73 ERA and 88/43 K/BB ratio through his first 19 major league starts.

Danny Duffy is likely to make just two or three more starts before getting shut down. Duffy climbed to 136 total innings in Saturday's 8-7 loss to the Indians and will be cut off by the Royals right around 150. The talented 22-year-old left-hander pitched 126 2/3 innings in 2009 but only 62 1/3 innings last year due to injuries and personal issues. He has a 5.55 ERA and 79/45 K/BB ratio through 18 starts this season.

Danny Duffy allowed two runs on eight hits and three walks in five innings of work on Sunday afternoon, improving to 3-4 in Kansas City's 5-3 win over the Indians. He struck out six. Duffy sailed through his first four innings of work before allowing a Jason Kipnis homer and Carlos Santana RBI-triple in the fifth. He'll enter his weekend start against the Tigers with a 5.05 ERA and 1.67 WHIP.

Danny Duffy had a night to forget in Fenway Park on Tuesday, allowing six runs on six hits over 3 2/3 innings in Kansas City's 13-7 loss. He struck out five and walked three. The 22-year-old left-hander entered the game having allowed exactly two runs in five of his last six starts. Duffy is the owner of an ugly 5.17 ERA and 1.63 WHIP over his first 12 starts in the big leagues.

Royals optioned LHP Danny Duffy to Triple-A Omaha. He'll be called back up to start the sixth game after the All-Star break. Though he has just a 4.85 ERA and 1.65 WHIP on the season, Duffy has pitched much better of late, sporting a 23/4 K/BB ratio over his last four starts.