Bob Dutton ‏ @Royals_Report

#Royals LHP Danny Duffy gives up four runs in three innings in a Triple-A game. That doesn't help his cause to make rotation.

WTF Duffy? Get your shit together. God I hope Montgomery and Odorizzi are ready soon.

Yes, small sample size, and spring, but these guys did not have a spot locked up, so I wouldn't think they were screwing around with new pitches, all 3 of them are trying to make 2 spots (since Crow is out)

Mendoza 16.2IP, 1ER, 3BB, 16K
Paulino 11.2IP, 10ER, 5BB, 9K
Duffy 8.1IP, 7ER, 3BB, 9K (not counting his bad AAA game today)

Who is out, Paulino or Duffy? I don't think Paulino has any options, and our bullpen is kinda stacked, so doesn't it have to be Duffy in Omaha until someone inevitably fails?

I'd agree it's Duffy. Man I hoped he'd be ready to rock. This staff is going to give us problems again... I'm willing to bet. Hope I'm wrong.

Thought Rany was suggesting Paulino(a?) to long relief.

Oh, just remembered a funny anecdote. I'm watching the game, top of the 6th inning, Royals up only 4-1, so its still a game at that point. Brewers pitcher strikes out Frenchy, who led off the inning. Then, shortly after the strikeout...

Me: ooh... oh no, thats not right. Thats not good.
Detroit fan next to me: Huh? What happened?
Me: After that strikeout, the Brewers tried to throw the ball around the horn, but they screwed it up. 3rd baseman dropped the ball from catcher and just tossed it into the dugout. Thats bad luck.
Detroit fan: *chuckling*
Me: no, I'm serious (not really, I was joking), the Baseball Gods are not going to be happy about that, I bet they get punished.
Detroit fan: well, all right, lets see what happens.

Moustakas comes up and BOOM, monster home run. Needless to say, I gloated about my witty observation.

Monty was on with Petro the other day saying his rotation would include Duffy with Paulino to the bullpen. Said Paulino does have the ability to throw a lot of pitches for you...in 5 innings.

Remember 2009?
http://baseball-wallpapers.net/categ...s-city-royals/

You can't tell your team that there is 'competition' for any roster spots then turn around and not give Mendoza the starting rotation spot.

He flat took it. He came into camp in 3rd in a 2-horse race and he simply stole the spot by outpitching his competition. Will he probably fall on his face later? Yup, most likely, but you still have to give him that chance in order to at least give the impression that camp had any merit at all.

Come on...this is the Royals. Would not surprise me at all to see Mendoza waived. In fact, I almost expect it to happen.

Paulino is going to the DL with a sore elbow. That means Duffy has probably backed into the rotation as our #5 starter.

In the first week, we'll be going with Chen-Hoch-Sanchez, then probably Mendoza-Duffy. Hoch will probably start on KC's home opener.

Verducci's preview:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vid...tsIllustrated/

I thought sanchez looked good, chen looked like shit. Holland popped the mitt as well.

WOW! Cain just smashed an epic bomb to dead center. Not sure if the dry air helped but damn!