Dodgers News: Danny Duffy Heading for Surgery or Retirement

The third guy the Dodgers acquired at the trade deadline never officially suited up for the boys in blue, even though he really, really wanted to. Danny Duffy was sidelined with a flexor tendon injury when LA traded for him from the Kansas City Royals. Notably, the move came with an eye on October where manager Dave Roberts hoped the left-hander could be deployed as a multi-inning “monster” in the postseason.

However, he was shut down earlier this month after experiencing a setback during a throwing session. Now, sadly, that setback appears to be worse than expected. Bill Plunkett of the Southern California Newsgroup reports that Duffy may require reconstructive surgery on his elbow if he wants to pitch again.

Here’s the latest from Dodgers’ president of baseball operations, Andrew Friedman via Plunk.

“It’s possible” Duffy will need to undergo Tommy John surgery (his second) if he wants to continue pitching but that hasn’t been determined yet. Friedman said Duffy is “trying to figure out what the next step” is in his career and acknowledged that it might be retirement for Duffy, who will turn 33 in December.

Duffy underwent the surgery back in 2012 as a 23-year-old, but the now 33-year-old is faced with a decision as he heads into free agency for the first time in his career.

“The point from me was go ahead and take your time,” Friedman added. “You don’t have to make that decision right now. There’s a lot of emotion involved.”

If he does opt to retire, he put together fine career at the big league level. The pitcher spent his entire 11-year career with the Royals, posting a 68-68 record with a 3.95 ERA over 234 games. He also was part of Kansas City’s World Series championship team in 2015.

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