CLEVELAND _ In what could be a significant blow to their playoff chances, the Royals placed starting pitcher Danny Duffy on the disabled list on Saturday afternoon.
Duffy, the Royals' staff leader, is suffering from a left elbow impingement/valgus extension overload, club officials said. The issue, which occurs when the bones inside the elbow collide during the delivery of a fastball, has caused soreness in his left elbow. For context, former Royals starter Yordano Ventura missed one start in 2014 after being diagnosed with "mild valgus extension overload."
In a corresponding roster move, the Royals purchased the contract of pitcher Onelki Garcia from Class AAA Omaha. Rookie left-hander Eric Skoglund will start on Sunday afternoon against the Indians at Progressive Field.
The Royals (64-63) entered Saturday night's game at Cleveland 1{ games behind the Minnesota Twins for the final American League wild-card spot.
Duffy, 28, is 8-8 with a 3.78 ERA in 21 starts this season. He surrendered just one hit and two runs in six innings in his last start, taking a no-hitter into the sixth inning against the Colorado Rockies before allowing a two-run homer to Nolan Arenado.
Duffy spent all of June on the disabled list with an oblique strain. He signed a five-year, $65 million contract extension last offseason after posting the best season of his career in 2016.
Duffy does have a history of elbow problems. He underwent Tommy John surgery in June of 2012 and missed 14 months, returning to a major league mound in August of 2013.
Garcia, meanwhile, is a 28 year old from Cuba who posted a 5.04 ERA while logging innings in a swingman role at Omaha. He will likely slide into a long-relief role as Skoglund starts on Sunday.
