Crossing paths: Duffy begins rehab assignment as Kratz concludes his
MINNEAPOLIS -- Danny Duffy will make his first rehab start for Triple A Omaha on Tuesday night. Duffy is targeted for three or four innings, using between 45 and 50 pitches.
Royals manager Ned Yost said the outing would be a success simply by seeing Duffy reach the allotted pitch count. Duffy is on the 15-day disabled list with left biceps tendinitis after a bout of shoulder stiffness.
Prior to hitting the disabled list, Duffy struggled in his last three starts. The left-hander completed just 9 2/3 innings, allowing 14 earned runs (13.03 ERA), 15 hits and 10 walks (2.586 WHIP).
Since then, Duffy has tweaked his delivery, opting now to bring his hands over his head to keep his upper and lower bodies more in sync with each other. He has tested it in a simulated game and bullpen session, reporting more control and a "downhill" feeling. Tuesday is the first game with the refined motion.
Decision tomorrow on catcher
Yost said the club would make a decision tomorrow between catchers Drew Butera and Erik Kratz. Tuesday night is Kratz's final rehab game with Omaha.
On Wednesday, the team will essentially pick one over the other, unable to create roster space to accommodate both. Kratz is regarded as the better hitter and more of a power threat, while Butera is viewed as the more polished defender.
Whoever the Royals choose would likely be used sparingly, with Salvador Perez still receiving the overwhelming majority of starts behind the plate. They also could be called on as a late-game replacement if Perez is taken out.
They could theoretically be used as a pinch hitter as well, but Yost rarely uses them. Kansas City has used just six all season, most of them regulars who didn't start the game.
With Omaha, Kratz has posted a .212/.276/.481 slash line with four home runs in 14 games. Butera has started four games for the Royals this year, and most recently threw batting practice to the Royals' dads. The fathers are on the road trip as part of the annual dads trip.
South Atlantic All-Stars
Six Lexington Legends (Kansas City's low A affiliate) were named to the Southern Division team of the South Atlantic League All-Star Game, played June 23 in Asheville, North Carolina.
Ryan O'Hearn leads the league with 12 home runs and will start at first base. Eiler Hernandez will start in right field after hitting .282 with four homers. Outfielder Alfredo Escalera and pitchers Pedro Fernandez, Zach Lovvorn and Matt Strahm also made the team.
You can follow Matthew DeFranks on Twitter at @MDeFranks or email him at matthew.defranks@gmail.com.
