Rangers Sign Jared Walsh, Matt Duffy To Minor-League Deals
The Texas Rangers signed free-agent first baseman Jared Walsh, infielder Matt Duffy and left-hander Blake Taylor to minor-league deals with invitations to major-league spring training on Thursday. Walsh was a first-time All-Star with the Los Angeles Angels in 2021, when he hit .277 (147-for-530) with a career-high 29 home runs in 144 games. However, he fell on hard times the last two seasons, hitting a combined 19 home runs, and injuries limited him to 39 games in 2023 before he was cut. If Walsh can get healthy, he could find his way back to the big leagues as a bench bat for the World Series champions. Duffy, 33, hit .251/.306/.325 with two home runs and 16 RBI in 78 games for the Kansas City Royals in 2023. He'll give the Rangers defensive versatility as not much more than infield depth in 2024.
The Kansas City Royals signed free-agent infielder Matt Duffy to a minor-league deal on Friday that includes an invite to major-league spring training. Duffy will give the Royals some more infield depth after they just traded infielder Adalberto Mondesi to the Boston Red Sox this week. The 32-year-old veteran hit .250/.308/.311 with a .619 OPS, two home runs, 16 RBI and 14 runs scored in 247 plate appearances over 77 games for the Los Angeles Angels in 2022. He was much better for the Chicago Cubs the year prior, and there could be some decent playing time available for Duffy with the rebuilding Royals. Duffy has a .279 career batting average in seven big-league seasons, but the power is lacking (29 homers in 626 games).
Los Angeles Angels infielder Matt Duffy (back) began his minor league rehab assignment with Triple-A Salt Lake on Monday and is expected to play there for a little more than a week. He left the game on June 26 and was dealing with tightness in his lower back, later being diagnosed with lower back spasms. Duffy was moved to the 60-day injured list on July 28, so he won't be eligible to return to the team until Aug. 26. The 31-year-old was hitting .261/.308/.291 with no home runs, five RBI and seven runs scored in 143 plate appearances over 45 games in his first year with the Angels before his back injury sidelined him.
The Los Angeles Angels placed infielder Matt Duffy (back) on the 10-day injured list on Monday. He has been dealing with lower back spasms. The issue caused him to be removed from Sunday's game against the Seattle Mariners. The Angels called up catcher Matt Thaiss from Triple-A to fill Duffy's roster spot. Duffy has played in 45 games this year and he's slashed .261/.308/.291 with just four extra-base hits (all doubles).
Los Angeles Angels infielder Matt Duffy (back) was removed early during Sunday's game against the Seattle Mariners. The 31-year-old was pulled out of the game due to lower back tightness. It's not exactly clear what happened to Duffy, but the injury is believed to be minor. Andrew Velazquez replaced him in the lineup with Luis Rengifo sliding over to cover second base. Those two would likely split up the playing time, assuming Duffy is forced to miss time.
Los Angeles Angels infielder Matt Duffy (eye) was removed in the eighth inning of Tuesday night's game against the Texas Rangers. He was covering first base as a throw came to the bag from second base. As Duffy reached to grab the ball, the ball hit him in the eye right as Rangers outfielder Adolis Garcia collided with him. Duffy was on the ground in pain for awhile before exiting. After the game, Duffy stated that the injury was solely due to the ball hitting his eye, causing a cut to form under his eye. While the collision with Garcia looked bad in real time, it wasn't the cause of the injury. Duffy said that other than the cut under his eye, he was okay. It sounds as if he's day-to-day with a chance to be back in action Wednesday.
The Los Angeles Angels have signed infielder Matt Duffy to a one-year contract worth $1.5 million, according to Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register. The 31-year-old had a surprisingly impressive 2021 campaign with the Cubs, slashing .287/.357/.381 through 97 games and hitting quite well against southpaws. Along the way, he also posted a 7.8 percent walk rate and 19.6 percent strikeout rate. Defensively, Duffy didn't have the greatest season, but he made up for it with his versatility, spending time at all four infield positions as well as his left field. He should have no trouble competing for a starting infield job with the Halos during Spring Training.
Chicago Cubs infielder Matt Duffy went 3-for-5 with two runs and five RBI in Sunday's victory versus the Pittsburgh Pirates. The veteran hit two homers in the contest, including a grand slam in the bottom of the third inning. Duffy has been swinging a hot bat for the Cubs lately and is hitting .333 with two home runs and six RBI over the past week. Despite the nice numbers, he doesn't offer much to be intrigued by and there should be better options on the waiver wire. For the season, Duffy is now hitting .269 with three home runs, 20 RBI and five stolen bases.
Chicago Cubs infielder Matt Duffy (neck) has been scratched from Wednesday's game against the Minnesota Twins. He is dealing with neck stiffness, so hopefully it's just a day-to-day type of issue. In the meantime, Andrew Romine will cover second base and bat ninth against righty Joe Ryan. Romine isn't in a favorable part of the order nor does he offer much upside with the bat. DFS players can go ahead and find a better option for Wednesday's slate. Duffy will hopefully be back in the lineup within the next day or two.
The Chicago Cubs have activated infielder Matt Duffy from the 60-day injured list on Friday. Duffy was sidelined since May 22 with a lower back strain. Duffy was having a solid season before his injury and has hit .278 with one home run, 12 RBI and three stolen bases. With infielder/outfielder Kris Bryant likely to be dealt and Joc Pederson recently dealt, Duffy should get a good amount of at-bats and will bat fifth on Friday. To make room for Duffy, the Cubs have designated infielder Eric Sogard for assignment. Sogard was hitting .249 with one home run, 12 RBI and three stolen bases this season and is likely to latch on with as organizational depth for another club. Both Sogard and Duffy can remain on the waiver wire.
