Duffy likely in mix for start in Friday's twin bill

KANSAS CITY -- The Royals still haven't announced a second starting pitcher for Friday's day-night doubleheader at Detroit, but manager Ned Yost indicated he'd make his decision public on Wednesday.

There was a strong indication that left-hander Danny Duffy would return for that duty because, on Monday night, he made an abbreviated start in Triple-A Omaha's 11-inning, 5-4 win over Fresno. He pitched only the first inning, retiring all three batters on 10 pitches with two strikeouts.

Duffy, coming back from elbow surgery, made his first Royals start in more than a year last Wednesday night -- going 3 2/3 innings in a 5-2 victory over the Twins.

Right-hander James Shields will pitch one of the two games on Friday and so will Tigers ace Justin Verlander. Yost also hasn't yet revealed whether or not he'll match up Shields with Verlander.