Danny Duffy

Danny Duffy

35-Year-Old PitcherP
 Free Agent  
Free Agent
2024 Fantasy Outlook
Duffy hasn't pitched in the majors since 2021 but worked in the minors with the Rangers last season and is back for 2024 on a minor-league pact. The veteran left-hander worked in relief during 2023 and had a 3.28 ERA and 42:29 K:BB over 35.2 innings but stretched back out during the Puerto Rican Winter League and is once again working as a starter. Duffy has a decent major-league track record but hasn't been healthy enough to make an impact in a few years, and it's difficult to trust that will chance in 2024 at 35 years old. Read Past Outlooks
RANKS
Rest of Season
From Preseason
$Signed a one-year, minor-league contract with the Rangers in February of 2024. Released by the Rangers in May of 2024.
Released by Texas
PFree Agent  
May 8, 2024
The Rangers released Duffy on Wednesday, Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Duffy held a 5.50 ERA and 17:17 K:BB over 18 innings with Triple-A Round Rock. The 35-year-old hasn't pitched in the big leagues since 2021, and at this point, Duffy may face an uphill battle to make it back to The Show.
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Pitching Stats
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2021 MLB Game Log
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2020 MLB Game Log
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2018 MLB Game Log
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Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Danny Duffy See More
Spring Training Job Battles: AL West
212 days ago
The American League West features perhaps the biggest battle of all this spring: Wyatt Langford's quest to make the Rangers' Opening Day roster.
Mound Musings: See You in September
August 25, 2022
Brad Johnson takes a look at which pitchers might be worth a look during the season's final month, starting with Mike Soroka who's been out since August of 2020 with a ruptured Achilles.
NL FAAB Factor: Waiver Pickups of the Week
July 31, 2022
With only a couple days before the trade deadline, Jan Levine checks out a few NLers who could benefit from upcoming transactions.
Mound Musings: Revisiting My 2022 “Home” League Pitching Staff
July 1, 2022
Brad Johnson discusses how the players on his "Home" league pitching staff are doing nearing the second half of the season, including Shohei Ohtani, his No. 3 SP.
Mound Musings: My 2022 Home League Pitching Staff
April 14, 2022
Brad Johnson offers insight into the pitching staff of his hometown fantasy league, beginning with his No.1 pitcher, Dodger Julio Urias.
Past Fantasy Outlooks
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
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2016
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2012
2011
2010
The Dodgers acquired an injured Duffy in July of 2021 with the expectation that he could contribute during the stretch run that season, but the veteran hurler was unable to recover from his forearm issue in time to pitch for the club. Los Angeles re-signed the lefty for 2022, but the injury persisted and Duffy was shut down in September after hurling just 6.2 minor-league rehab innings. He'll be 34 years old and over 18 months removed from his last appearance on a big-league mound by the time spring training rolls around, so his primary focus will likely be proving that his arm is healthy. Duffy has had enough big-league success for an organization to bring him aboard as a low-risk, moderate-reward addition, but given the time off and lingering concerns about his forearm, he may be better suited to a long-relief role at this point in his career.
Duffy was pacing for a career year before he was sidelined with a left forearm flexor strain. At the time, he posted a 1.94 ERA and 1.13 WHIP, albeit aided via an 81 percent LOB% and four percent HR/FB mark over 41.2 frames. His 21.2 percent K-BB% showed it wasn't all good luck. After convalescing for a month, Duffy returned to record a 3.72 ERA and 1.40 WHIP as his K-BB% dipped to 8.5 percent over those 19.1 innings. He returned to the IL after aggravating his left flexor. While there, he was traded to the Dodgers, but he was shut down after a setback in early September. While his early skills increase is intriguing, Duffy remains a health and performance risk. He's teased being a useful starter but has yet to exhibit consistency. Counting on Duffy is taking on unnecessary risk. He's best suited as a speculative pick in waiver/FAAB leagues or as a very deep reserve in draft and hold formats.
The veteran left-hander's 4.95 ERA and 1.33 WHIP during 2020 are similar to his numbers from the previous two seasons, and the 4.75 FIP indicates it was fairly reflective of his actual performance. Duffy did post his best strikeout rate (23.1%) since 2016 last season, but he also had the highest HR/9 (1.6) of his career. He's set to earn $15.5 million in the final year of his contract in 2021, and the Royals are likely hoping for a strong start that generates some interest on the trade market. Duffy's strikeout totals bring some fantasy potential, but the wins and rate stats lag behind significantly and limit the value of the strikeouts. He's poised to begin the season in the starting rotation and his spot should be fairly secure given Kansas City's other options, but there's a decent chance he doesn't finish the year with the club.
Duffy's career year was in 2016. The Royals rewarded his efforts with a new five-year deal, and 2019 was the third year of that deal in which Duffy failed to achieve anything close to what he did in that 2016 season. His workload, his strikeout rate and his FIP were all at or near his career worsts in 2019 despite the fact three of his four pitches had positive pitch values. He has struck out over 20 percent of the hitters he faced the past four seasons, but that is essentially where his fantasy value is as a pitcher. The Royals do not provide him with a lot of run support, and he has permitted his fair share of runs in each of the past two seasons. He has lost two miles per hour off the fastball that earned him his current deal, and that is unlikely to return in his 30s. Unless he is moved to a contending team, he is essentially a one-category pitcher, and those strikeouts come with ratio risk.
After he had surgery to remove loose bodies from his left elbow after the 2017 season, the hope was that Duffy would return to his 2016 form. Unfortunately, that didn't come to fruition as left shoulder tendinitis led to Duffy’s worst season since his 2011 rookie campaign. Right-handed batters gave him even more trouble than normal while lefty swingers were much more productive. To be fair, some of the splits disparity from previous seasons emanated from a bloated BABIP versus left-handers, but in general, Duffy’s velocity remained down with worse control. Of note is he reintroduced a curve, which was basically dormant since 2014. It was his most effective pitch though he only threw it 10% of the time. Don’t target him, but the cost will likely be right to see if a healthy Duffy can return to some level of prominence.
His performance when on the field was solid, but Duffy's 2017 season was marred by injuries and a DUI arrest. The lefty missed more than a month in the middle of the campaign with an oblique issue and later battled elbow inflammation. Surgery was ultimately deemed necessary to remove loose bodies from the elbow, but Duffy was expected to have a normal offseason. Duffy's strikeout rate fell from 25.7 percent to 21.4 percent last year, coinciding with a two-mph drop in average fastball velocity, but nevertheless he shaved nearly 40 points off his FIP thanks to sharp control and a reduction in home-run rate. He continues to post dramatic platoon splits, with righties beating up on him (.329 wOBA last season) while lefties flounder (.199 wOBA), and at this point it seems he may never figure out right-handers, but there is some hope that Duffy's velocity and K-rate will rebound with better health in 2018.
Duffy had a breakout season in transitioning to the rotation from the bullpen after two months, showing excellent skills in 26 starts. There was some slowdown in September as his velocity tailed off and home runs became a big issue (nine in 36 innings). Duffy enjoyed career-bests in strikeout rate, walk rate, and swinging-strike rate, though some of his control gains with the fastball seemed to come at the expense of his command with the pitch yielding career-worsts in home run rate and hard-contact rate. An excellent slider and changeup hid the declining velocity until September (though his 94.5 mph average in Sept. is nothing to sneeze at). He has a great foundation with premier velocity and two swing-and-miss secondaries. If his finish was more fatigue from a career-high 179.7 innings pitched than the league figuring him out, then there's a lot more success to come. The homer issue preaches some caution, but there's still upside to bid on.
Duffy has been with Kansas City for parts of five seasons with nearly all of his appearances coming as a starting pitcher. In that time, he’s 24-30 with a 3.80 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP, and his strikeout rate has declined each of the previous four seasons. He has done some limited work in the bullpen, and his stuff has looked better in that role than it has as a starting pitcher. Kansas City does not currently have the pitching depth that would allow Duffy to move to the bullpen to help set up Wade Davis in 2016, but that could change in the near future. He’s mostly a fastball/breaking ball type of pitcher and the lack of a good changeup leaves him susceptible to righties, who have hit 40 of the 44 home runs against him in his career. Duffy is endgame material as is, but a potential move to the bullpen reduces his value.
Opportunity knocked for Duffy early in the 2014 season, as a spot in the starting rotation opened up in early May after Bruce Chen hit the disabled list with a bulging disc in his back. The left-handed Duffy took the reins and never looked back, finishing the season with a 9-12 record, 2.53 ERA and 1.11 WHIP. A career-low .239 BABIP may have helped him out a bit, in addition to the fact that he stranded 77.2% of baserunners, but the southpaw was able to provide fantasy utility in most formats nonetheless. Potential fantasy owners may want to exercise caution before reaching too far for Duffy, however, as a 4.42 xFIP suggests that his ERA may be a bit understated, though he'll likely continue to catch breaks in the spacious Kauffman Stadium with an exceptional defensive unit behind him. He threw a career-high 149.1 innings in 2014 (with an extra 4.2 in the postseason), and should expect to surpass that workload in the upcoming year, provided he stays healthy, but keep in mind he did undergo Tommy John surgery once already in June 2012.
Duffy underwent Tommy John surgery early in the 2012 season and finally made it back to the mound for the Royals around the start of the second half last season. However, he made just five starts before landing back on the disabled list with tightness in his forearm. Rather than try to push him into a second return during the 2013 season, the club opted to shut him down for the duration of the year with the assumption that he would be fully rested and rehabbed by the time spring training opened in 2014. Duffy has a solid four-pitch arsenal and high strikeout potential, but command has always seemed to be a bit of an issue. Though he posted a K/BB over 2.50 throughout his time in the minors, he failed to produce one over 1.71 during his 133 innings at the major league level. Of course, that could have also had something to do with his arm troubles leading up to surgery. If all goes well during spring training, he should slot in as the team's third or fourth starter when the regular season begins.
Duffy's 2-2 record with a 3.90 ERA and a 1.6 K/BB through 27.2 innings in 2012 were almost irrelevant as he was plagued with elbow problems early on and eventually shut down at the beginning of May to have Tommy John surgery. He is still in the midst of his recovery and likely won't be ready until some time around midseason in 2013. However, at just 24 years old and loaded with promise, he is obviously a pitcher to monitor when looking for help in the second half. Throughout his time in the minors, he exhibited tremendous strikeout potential, often posting a double-digit K/9 and finishing off hitters with either his 95 mph fastball or an even more impressive looping curve. With the prospect of him coming back to the rotation with his arm even stronger, Duffy could be one of those sneaky second-half sleepers that that can boost a fantasy rotation and lift you up in at least three of the standard pitching categories.
Duffy made his big league debut in 2011, after spending the first month of the season at Triple-A Omaha. A starter, he had 87 strikeouts and 51 walks with a 5.64 ERA over 105.1 innings. Armed with a fastball that sits in the low-to-mid 90s, Duffy struck out over a batter per inning at nearly every stop in the minors, often with good control and command of his pitches. At the major league level he's going to need to rediscover that control as his walk rate was 4.36 BB/9IP in his rookie season. Only 23 years old, Duffy should be snapped up in keeper leagues and by those speculating for strikeouts in deeper leagues.
Duffy made a bizarre departure from the Royals in March to "reassess his life priorities" before returning to the team three months later. Upon his return, Duffy was effective, posting a 2.74 ERA over 62.1 minor-league innings. The Royals plan to give him a chance to pitch his way into the Opening Day rotation this spring, but he's yet to pitch an inning above the Double-A level.
Duffy is a left-handed starting pitcher with outstanding upside. His command and his ability to throw strikes set him apart from most prospects his age. He went 9-3 with a 2.98 ERA in High-A in last season and his 125:41 K:BB ratio over 126.2 innings pitched is excellent. Duffy was selected for the Futures Game and he should be considered an up-and-coming pitcher in the Royals' rotation. He must increase his stamina so he can get deeper than the fifth inning. It is likely he will spend 2010 between Double-A and Triple-A preparing for a debut as a starting pitcher late in the season or in 2011. Duffy should be considered in keeper leagues and is someone to watch very carefully.
More Fantasy News
Won't make team
PTexas Rangers  
March 22, 2024
The Rangers informed Duffy on Friday that he will not make the Opening Day roster, Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com reports.
ANALYSIS
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Chance to make roster
PTexas Rangers  
February 15, 2024
Duffy is stretching out as a starter this spring but could also make the Rangers' Opening Day roster as a starter or reliever, Jeff Wilson of Rangerstoday.com reports.
ANALYSIS
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Back with Texas as NRI
PTexas Rangers  
February 5, 2024
Duffy signed a minor-league contract with the Rangers on Monday that includes an invitation to spring training.
ANALYSIS
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Struggles in debut with Frisco
PTexas Rangers  
June 3, 2023
Triple-A Round Rock reinstated Duffy (forearm) from its 7-day injured list Saturday and assigned him to Double-A Frisco.
ANALYSIS
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Sidelined to begin season
PTexas Rangers  
Forearm
April 1, 2023
Triple-A Round Rock placed Duffy (forearm) on its 7-day injured list Friday.
ANALYSIS
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Chance for high-leverage role?
PTexas Rangers  
January 31, 2023
Rangers GM Chris Young recently mentioned Duffy when discussing the team's options at closer, according to Levi Weaver of The Athletic.
ANALYSIS
The veteran left-hander missed the past season and a half while dealing with forearm issues, and he recently inked a minor-league deal with Texas that includes an invite to big-league camp. Duffy has primarily worked as a starter throughout his MLB career, though he does have one save and five holds under his belt across 30 relief appearances. Jose Leclerc is the frontrunner for the closer job entering spring training, but he doesn't have much stability in the role. Duffy will likely need a strong showing in the spring to warrant a spot on the Opening Day roster, and he'll likely need to earn his way into a high-leverage role given his lack of recent work.
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