Kansas City Royals: Danny Duffy to the Disabled List

The Kansas City Royals announced Saturday they were placing Danny Duffy on the disabled list for a sore elbow. So far, it sounds as though he could only miss one or two starts. This is not what the Royals needed right now with Duffy scheduled to start Sunday at Cleveland.

What does this mean for the Kansas City Royals?

Danny Duffy’s injury is not something Kansas City Royals fans should be worried about at this point. Although the timing of the injury is poor. His next scheduled start was to be Sunday against Cleveland, Eric Skoglund is now going to start in his place.

Skoglund had a great first start, but in his next two outings he went a combined 3.1 innings, giving up 11 hits for six runs. Since returning to Triple-A Omaha, he has put up a 3.79 ERA and pitched 57 innings in 11 starts.

Skoglund will probably start against Cleveland on short notice. He is the best shot the Kansas City Royals have to get through Sunday. If Duffy is going to be out for more than one or two starts, they need to look for someone else to start to legitimately make a run at the second Wild Card spot.

The Kansas City Royals can get through this.

The key for the Royals is for Skoglund to pitch like he did in his first start earlier in the season. The rest of the rotation also needs to step it up. They need to make it through at least five innings, preferably six, to help keep the bullpen rested. If the bullpen can stay rested and pitch well, they should be able to get through this.

The injury allowed the Royals to add Onelki Garcia to help the bullpen. He has not been spectacular throughout his career. This year in Triple-A, he has pitched 75 innings and has a 5.04 ERA. In order to make room for him, the Kansas City Royals moved Bubba Starling to the 60-day disabled list.

Danny Duffy has been pitching well this year and will be needed later, but he needs to rest and come back healthy.

Right now Mike Moustakas and Salvador Perez are fighting injuries and the Kansas City Royals believe they cannot afford to place them on the disabled list. I tend to agree with that. However, with Duffy the Royals need to make sure he is healthy as the team makes the run for the postseason.

Next: Scott Alexander ... Long-Term Piece?

Do you agree? Do the Kansas City Royals still have a chance? Should the Royals wait for Duffy to be fully healthy or rush him like they did with Salvy? Let us know what you think in the comments.