Report: Dodgers Acquire Royals' Danny Duffy Ahead of MLB Trade Deadline

The defending World Series champions are reportedly finalizing a deal to acquire longtime Kansas City Royals pitcher Danny Duffy.

The Dodgers are reportedly finalizing a deal to acquire left-handed pitcher Danny Duffy from the Royals, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan, marking their first move ahead of the trade deadline.

Duffy, 32, is currently on the injured list with a flexor strain but is expected to return, according to Passan. The 11-year veteran has no-trade protection he's expected to waive to join a World Series contender in Los Angeles.

Duffy, who debuted for Kansas City in 2011, was the longest tenured Royal and was a key rotation member for the franchise's World Series-winning team in 2015. He most likely be pitching in a relief spot for the Dodgers, however, and is set to be a free agent in the winter. The southpaw is 4-3 with a 2.51 ERA in 61 innings this season.

The Royals will be getting players to be named later from the Dodgers, with the quality of the return depending on how well Duffy returns from his injury and how many innings he throws for the defending World Series champions.

One more time: Kansas City will be getting players to be named later for from the Dodgers for Danny Duffy. They’ll have a few months to consider the ones on the list from the Dodgers and can choose from it.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 29, 2021

The Dodgers (62-41) are two games behind the Giants for first place in the National League West. The Royals (45-56) are fourth in the American League Central.