ST. PETERSBURG -- The much-awaited return of left-hander Danny Duffy to the Royals’ rotation will take place Friday at Kauffman Stadium against the Angels, Kansas City manager Ned Yost said Monday.

Duffy, who started the team’s two previous Opening Days, had been battling a sore shoulder almost from the moment Spring Training began. Duffy was put on the 10-day injured list when the team broke camp and remained in Arizona to build his arm strength back up, then made one rehab start with Double-A Northwest Arkansas on Saturday.

Duffy threw five innings and gave up four hits, one unearned run and struck out seven in the start.

“The line was fine,” Duffy said. “I was effectively wild. My stuff got me through. That’s the story of my career. I would really have liked to have hung in there a little longer.”

Duffy said he has been making some mechanical adjustments to his delivery.

“I’m doing some different stuff with my delivery and I don’t want to allude to them right now but it’s starting to feel more comfortable,” Duffy said. “I mean, I was hitting 95. I got that back. I never thought I’d see that again.

“Ball is coming out really freely. I’m excited to throw and be back in the big leagues. It feels like it has been a long time since I’ve been up here with the boys.”

Duffy also vows to have a more positive mental attitude.

“I’m trying to not be so cynical and just appreciate what I've got,” he said. “Staying away from Twitter has helped and not being on something so accessible where you try to treat everyone as friends. It’s all about my job now.”

Left-hander Tim Hill recalled

The Royals optioned right-hander Glenn Sparkman over the weekend. On Monday they made the corresponding move by recalling left-hander Tim Hill.

After being optioned to Triple-A Omaha earlier this season, Hill threw three straight scoreless outings before giving up a run in each of his last two appearances.

“I think (my struggles) earlier this season were more about timing,” Hill said. “I think at the beginning of the season I kind of knew something was off, but it’s easier to fix when you’re down [in the Minors]. You get more reps.”