Kansas City Royals veteran lefty Danny Duffy, for the third time in four years, will start Opening Day. After missing the 2019 opener with Brad Keller getting the call, Duffy will throw against the Cleveland Indians in the 6:10 first pitch on Friday, July 24th. Duffy got the Opening Day starts in 2017 and 2018, and had the door opened this year, with Keller remaining in isolation after testing positive for COVID-19.
Keller’s positive test ended prematurely what could have been a good-natured battle for the Opening Day assignment between good friends, as even Manager Mike Matheny had indicated in February that a battle for the title of “team ace” would have had lasting benefits.
Duffy has worked his stamina level to the point of being able to throw up to 80 pitches in a game, with that number potentially increasing over the next week, with one more start in Summer Camp at Kauffman Stadium remaining, most likely this weekend.
On Monday night, Duffy was sharp with three scoreless innings.
The potential problem with catching depth in Kansas City was lessened on Tuesday, with multi-time All-Star and Gold Glove catcher Salvador Perez returning from a bout with COVID-19. “Salvy” came up positive for the virus on the first weekend of camp, but was allowed to return after testing negative twice within a 24 hour span earlier this week. In Tuesday’s intrasquad game, Perez got a big night for the Royals offense going with first inning RBI single.
Other offensive highlights included first baseman Ryan McBroom hitting a two-run homer, fellow first baseman Nick Pratto cracking a long home run to right field, and veteran free-agent third baseman Maikel Franco ripping a grand slam.
