Royals' Danny Duffy leaves start vs. Yankees on Saturday after one pitch

Royals starter Danny Duffy left Saturday's game against the Yankees after only one pitch with what the team called left shoulder soreness.

Royals starter Danny Duffy left Saturday's game against the Yankees after only one pitch with what the team called left shoulder soreness.

The 25-year-old was replaced by Liam Hendriks.

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Duffy grimaced after the first pitch to Jacoby Ellsbury. Manager Ned Yost and the team's trainer came out to check on him.

Duffy is 8-11 with a 2.42 ERA in 29 appearances this season (23 starts). He began the season as a reliever before moving into the rotation in May.

In four big-league seasons, Duffy is 16-21 with a 3.65 ERA. He missed most of the 2012 and 2013 seasons after undergoing Tommy John surgery on his left elbow.

Kansas City (78-61) entered play on Saturday having won four in a row and held a 2.5-game lead over the Tigers in the AL Central.

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Danny Duffy was removed earlier in today's game due to left shoulder soreness. #Royals

— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) September 6, 2014

- Chris Mascaro