Necessity is forcing the Royals to quicken their transition to the future.
Club officials confirmed Tuesday morning that left-handed pitcher Danny Duffy will be promoted from Class AAA Omaha in time to start Wednesday’s game against Texas at Kauffman Stadium.
The move won’t be made until Wednesday, at which point the club must make corresponding moves to clear space on their 25-man and 40-man rosters. The 25-man move is likely to be placing right-handed pitcher Kyle Davies on the disabled list.
The 40-man move is less clear and could involve releasing or designating a player for assignment.
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Davies suffered a shoulder injury that forced him to leave Monday’s 19-1 loss to Cleveland in the first inning. He underwent a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exam late Monday, but results aren’t expected to be available until later today.
Duffy. 22, has been regarded as one of the organization’s top pitching prospects since his selection in the third round of the 2007 draft. He is 3-1 with a 3.00 ERA in seven starts at Omaha, although he has allowed 10 runs in 16 innings in his last three outings.
The move follows the postgame decision Monday to recall left-hander Everett Teaford from Omaha after optioning right-hander Vin Mazzaro back to the Storm Chasers. Teaford, 26, is a six-year pro who has never been in the big leagues.
Teaford is expected to be in the bullpen for tonight’s game against Cleveland. He was 2-1 with a 2.04 ERA in 10 games after leading the organization in victories last season while going a combined 14-4 for Class AA Northwest Arkansas and Omaha.
Duffy is 27-14 with a 2.59 ERA in 73 games in four minor-league seasons. He participated in the 2009 All-Star Futures Game and joined Teaford and three other Royals prospects on last year’s USA team in the Pan American Games Qualifying Tournament in Puerto Rico.
If Davies, as expected, goes to the disabled list, the Royals will still require another starting pitcher later in the week. Their likely choices appear to be rookie Nate Adcock, who is 1-0 with a 2.16 ERA in eight relief appearances, or Teaford.
The Royals promoted their top prospect, first baseman Eric Hosmer, on May 6 and, presuming Davies is placed on the disabled list, will have nine rookies on their 25-man roster once Duffy arrives.
Hosmer was also on last year’s Pan Am team along with third baseman Mike Moustakas and left-handed pitcher Mike Montgomery. Moustakas and Montgomery are considered likely promotion prospects in coming weeks.
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