Duffy appears ready for rehab; Infante and Rios get a 'maintenance day'
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Danny Duffy completed a bullpen session Saturday morning, likely the last step before heading on a rehabilitation assignment in the next few days.
Duffy, on the disabled list with left biceps tendinitis after a bout of shoulder stiffness, said his arm felt good and that he was able to throw strikes during the session. He also reported feeling comfortable again with his refined delivery, which brings his hands above his head and gave him a "downhill" feeling Saturday.
Duffy was unsure of his future destination for his rehab stint, although the most probable situation involves the left-hander heading to Triple A Omaha.
On Thursday, he threw a three-inning, 45-pitch simulated game, the longest workout since landing on the DL. He said the soreness was gone Thursday, two weeks after receiving a cortisone shot for the pain.
Infante, Rios sit
Both second baseman Omar Infante and right fielder Alex Rios were out of Saturday's starting lineup. Manager Ned Yost said Saturday was simply a maintenance day for the pair, with Christian Colon and Jarrod Dyson replacing the pair, respectively.
"Wanted to give Omar a day off," Yost said. "That's what went into it. Same reason that went into Dyson playing right field to give Rios a day off."
Infante -- under contract through 2017 -- has provided little production for the Royals at second base, owning a .220/.230/.310 slash line in 2015. In his last 12 games, Infante is 3 for 39 (.077) as his OPS has shed more than 100 points.
Infante's performance has left some clamoring for Colon, a former first-round pick and current utility infielder. In 22 games this season, Colon has slashed .268/.348/.333 and has seen action around the infield.
You can follow Matthew DeFranks on Twitter at @MDeFranks or email him at matthew.defranks@gmail.com.
