Royals closer Wade Davis says he might have returned too soon

Royals closer Wade Davis conceded Tuesday that he might have rushed his return from a forearm strain after the All-Star break, leading to a recurrence of the injury last week.

Davis was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a flexor strain on Sunday. The Royals said the injury is similar to the one that led to a stint on the disabled list in early July.

“I think I might have,” Davis said, emphasizing it was his decision. “I might have made the decision [to come back too soon].”

Davis spent just 15 days on the disabled list before returning on July 16. He logged five outings before reporting symptoms in his forearm. In hindsight, Davis said, perhaps he should have thrown a couple more side sessions or live batting practice before returning.

Davis said there was no timetable for a return. The Royals are hopeful he could be back in about two weeks. As of Monday, Davis had yet to pick up a baseball. He expressed relief that the MRI revealed no structural damage to his elbow. According to Davis, the MRI matched up with ones he has had in the past.

“We’re just doing treatment right now,” Davis said. “I won’t pick up a ball for a couple days.”

More on Danny Duffy’s big night on the mound

How good was Royals starter Danny Duffy’s performance on Monday? Upon further review and research, it may have been the best start in club history.

The argument: In addition to setting the franchise record with 16 strikeouts and allowing just two base runners — a hit and a walk — Duffy had the second-highest Game Score in club history.

Game Score is a stat created by sabermetrics pioneer Bill James. A pitcher begins a game with 50 points and gains for innings pitched and strikeouts while losing points for base runners. Duffy’s Game Score was 95, which sits behind only Dick Drago, who went 12 innings while allowing one run with 13 strikeouts in 1972 against the Minnesota Twins.

Duffy, meanwhile, also nearly threw one of the best no-hitters in baseball history. Only seven times in baseball history has a pitcher thrown a no-hitter with more than 15 strikeouts. Duffy nearly became the eighth — and just the third left-hander. He would have joined Warren Spahn and Clayton Kershaw.

This story was originally published August 2, 2016 at 7:33 PM with the headline "Royals closer Wade Davis says he might have returned too soon."