Duffy called up as KC options Davis, Coleman
Pitchers likely to return by Tuesday; Hochevar back from paternity leave
MINNEAPOLIS -- The Royals, as expected, put pitchers Danny Duffy and Luke Hochevar on their 25-man roster before Wednesday night's game against the Twins.
Their corresponding moves were more unexpected, however, as pitchers Wade Davis and Louis Coleman both were optioned to Class A Wilmington.
Why Wilmington?
Because the team in the Class A Carolina League stands less of a chance to be in postseason play and Davis and Coleman can return to the Kansas City roster faster, by next Tuesday.
"If we send them to [Triple-A] Omaha or [Double-A] Northwest Arkansas, they have a chance to extend play by being in the playoffs," manager Ned Yost said. "Wilmington is a long shot. So we sent them there in order to get them back by Sept. 3."
That's the day after the Minor League regular season ends. If Davis and Coleman had been optioned to a team whose season is extended, they would have to stay with that team for a full 10 days before being recalled. That would be on Sept. 7.
With the Royals still holding playoff hopes, they wanted to get the two pitchers back as soon as possible.
"With Moose [third baseman Mike Moustakas] battling his leg thing and him being sick, we couldn't send a position player out. We couldn't go with a two-man bench until then," Yost said. "So it came down to the pitching side."
Several pitchers still had Minor League options, but Yost opted to keep both bullpen left-handers, Tim Collins and Will Smith, because of strong left-handed hitters with the Twins and the Blue Jays, their next opponent.
"So the thinking behind it was Wade is going to the 'pen; we'll send him down to let him get two innings under his belt to get reacclimated to relieving," Yost said. "He'll throw one two-inning stint on Saturday and be back ready to go for us on the 3rd. Coleman is going to throw an inning Thursday, an inning on Saturday and then be ready to be back with us on the 3rd."
Duffy was recalled from Omaha to start Wednesday night's game against the Twins as he replaces Davis in the starting rotation. Hochevar is returning after being on paternity leave for three days.
The Royals' 40-man roster remains at 39.