Royals left-hander Danny Duffy is the scheduled starter Sunday for Team USA for its opening-round World Baseball Classic game against Canada in Miami.
On Saturday, the U.S. takes on the Dominican Republic, which was the homeland of late Royals pitcher Yordano Ventura. In the Dominican dugout will be jerseys of Ventura and Andy Marte, who both died on Jan. 22 in the Dominican Republic.
Duffy was asked by reporters if seeing that jersey will be emotional for him.
“Absolutely, man,” Duffy told reporters. “I mean, it still hasn’t become real to us. Truthfully, man, I mean I dream about the kid all the time.