Royals' Duffy lands on DL with elbow impingement
In the midst of an American League wild-card chase, the Kansas City Royals have placed left-handed starter Danny Duffy on the 10-day disabled list with an elbow impingement.
The injury, described further as a valgus extension overload, follows a game against the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday in which Duffy allowed just one hit - a two-run home run - and three walks over six innings while striking out seven.
As a corresponding move, the Royals selected the contract of left-hander Onelki Garcia. Appearing in 20 games with Triple-A Omaha including 10 starts, Garcia has a 5.04 ERA and 4.45 FIP. The 28-year-old will take on relief duties with the big club.
To make room on the 40-man roster for Garcia, Bubba Starling was transferred to the 60-day DL.
Duffy has impressed since signing a five-year, $65-million extension with the Royals this past offseason. Over 21 starts, he owns a 3.78 ERA and 3.46 FIP for the third-place Royals.
The club is just 1 1/2 games back of the second AL wild-card spot, currently held by the division rival Minnesota Twins.
Eric Skoglund will assume Duffy's next start - scheduled for Sunday against the Cleveland Indians. In three starts for the major-league club in 2017, Skoglund has managed just 9 2/3 innings with a 5.59 ERA and 3.09 FIP.