KANSAS CITY -- Royals left-hander Danny Duffy pitched 2 2/3 innings in his first rehab start for Triple-A Omaha on Saturday as he works to return from a right oblique strain.
Duffy, who hadn't pitched in a game since sustaining the injury on May 28 in Cleveland, struck out three batters and gave up two hits. In the third inning, he allowed a two-run home run to his final batter, Memphis Redbirds left fielder Randal Grichuk. Duffy threw 48 pitches.
"Good first step," Royals manager Ned Yost said.
On Saturday morning, Yost said Duffy would throw four innings and around 60 pitches in his next rehab start. He will then attempt to stretch out to five innings and 75 pitches. After that, the Royals will evaluate if he's ready to return to the starting rotation.
"Then we'll see where we're at because he'll be at the 85-pitch mark at that point," Yost said. "If he needs another one, we'll take him to 85 [pitches], and then he'll be ready to come back here and pitch 100 pitches."