Duffy reportedly hampered by rib-cage injury
Lefty limited to brief action out of bullpen during Royals' postseason run
KANSAS CITY -- It appears that Danny Duffy's mysterious absence from the postseason rotation was injury-related after all.
Duffy was plagued by a rib-cage issue that limited his availability, according to a report by The Kansas City Star.
Duffy was reportedly in line to start Game 1 of the American League Division Series against the Angels, but "a stress reaction in his rib cage, a crack on the inside of the bone" eliminated that possibility. Jason Vargas ended up starting the Royals' 3-2 win in Anaheim.
Duffy was relegated to bullpen duties and threw only 4 2/3 innings in the postseason. The left-hander's 2.53 ERA in the regular season (25 starts) was the lowest among the Royals' starters this season and contributed to him originally being pegged to start the ALDS opener.