BY MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Post
For the second time this season, Danny Duffy finds himself on the 10 day IL dealing with a left flexor strain.
Prior to first pitch on Tuesday against the Milwaukee Brewers, the Royals announced that they were placing both Duffy and right hander Brady Singer on the injury list. The placement of Duffy is retroactive to July 17th, the day after his last start against Baltimore when he went four innings, only allowing one run.
Duffy spent time on the injury list from May 12th through June 23rd dealing with this same injury. Since returning, he posted a 3.72 ERA across five starts and one relief appearance, pitching 19 2/3 innings.
Singer meanwhile finds himself on the injury list for the first time this season. The 24- year-old right hander has had an up and down season, after getting hit hard in his season debut the former first round pick recorded an excellent April, before struggling in May, and then having a solid month of June.
After getting hammered in his most recent start on Saturday against Baltimore, giving up seven runs in just two innings, Singer was pulled by the Royals and put on the IL with right shoulder fatigue, retroactive to July 18th
In corresponding moves, the Royals have recalled from Omaha right handed bullpen pitcher Tyler Zuber and first baseman/outfielder Ryan McBroom.
After finding himself on the Opening Day roster, McBroom has spent much of this season in Omaha, after starting the season batting only .167 in his time with the major league club. In Omaha however, McBroom found his swing, batting .271 and hitting 18 home runs and driving in 49 runs through 62 games.
Zuber has been up with the major league club a couple times this season after starting the season in Omaha. Zuber has also spent time at the Royals alternate site.
In 20 games so far, Zuber has struggled to an 0-2 record and an ERA up over six (6.35) striking out 16 batters over 17 innings pitched. The Royals hope his success in Omaha will eventually carry over. In Omaha, he struck out 22 batters over 17 2/3 innings with a 2.55 ERA over 16 games.