SEATTLE -- The Royals reinstated Danny Duffy from the disabled list to make the start against the Mariners on Tuesday afternoon at Safeco Field.
The team cleared a spot on the active roster for Duffy's return by optioning reliever Miguel Almonte to Triple-A Tacoma.
Duffy twirled 5 2/3 innings of five-hit, two-run ball, striking out four in a 7-3 victory over the Mariners that ensured Kansas City a series win and gave the Royals a chance for a sweep on Wednesday with All-Star Jason Vargas taking the hill.
Duffy, who is coming back from a strained right oblique muscle sustained in a 10-1 loss on May 28 in Cleveland, made two rehab starts with Omaha. His last outing was a 4 2/3-inning tuneup Thursday at Colorado Springs, where he threw 66 pitches and struck out five.
Minor back from illness 
Lefty reliever Mike Minor was ready to get back into games Tuesday after a bout with an intenstinal virus.
Royals manager Ned Yost said Minor, who last appeared in Kansas City's 11-6 win over the Twins on July 1, caught the bug from his daughter and wife and felt so ill that he did not fly with the team to Seattle on Sunday.
"He felt better yesterday," Yost said Tuesday. "We'll see how he feels today. I think he's going to be fine. He looks good."
Strahm to see specialist 
Left-hander Matt Strahm, who was moved to the 60-day disabled list on Monday as a result of a torn patellar tendon in his left knee, will seek a second opinion to determine whether he should opt for surgery, the Royals announced Tuesday.
Strahm, who had a 4.30 ERA and 26 strikeouts in 23 innings with the Royals this season, will visit Dr. Timothy Kremchek of Beacon Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine in Cincinnati on Thursday.