Jhoan Duran, the Philadelphia Phillies’ star closer, left Friday night’s game at Nationals Park limping after sustaining a right ankle injury while pitching in a non-save situation. The incident occurred during the ninth inning of the Phillies’ 6-2 victory in Washington, marking Duran’s first appearance in a non-save role since joining the team from Minnesota at the trade deadline. Following the game, the team confirmed that X-rays revealed no fractures, but Duran’s condition remains under close observation.
Details of the injury and immediate aftermath on the field
During the ninth inning, Duran faced Paul DeJong after the Phillies had built a four-run lead. DeJong hit a sharp ground ball back toward the mound, which struck Duran’s right ankle and bounced into foul territory for a single. Duran was visibly hurt as he ran to retrieve the ball.
“Obviously a bad spot to get hit,”
commented Phillies star Bryce Harper.
Manager Rob Thomson described the moment, saying,
“He ran like a shot over there to retrieve the ball and then once he got there, I think the adrenaline wore off,”
before emphasizing, “The pain set in.”
Duran struggled to put weight on his injured foot and began limping toward the foul line. After team trainers assessed him, he took a seat in the Nationals’ bullpen cart for transport off the field due to the difficult terrain leading to the visiting clubhouse.
“He actually said, ‘I feel better, I think I can walk over to the dugout,’”
Thomson added, pointing out the precaution of using the cart,
“I mean, he’s 240 pounds. I don’t want to be carrying him up the stairs.”
Impact on Phillies’ bullpen and playoff hopes
Duran’s injury forced David Robertson to enter the game in relief. Robertson allowed a double to Luis García Jr., but successfully retired the remaining batters, helping to preserve the Phillies’ lead and avoid charging Duran with a run. Through this season, Duran has proven critical to the Phillies’ success with a remarkable 1.86 ERA, 20 saves, and a perfect four-for-four record in save opportunities since the trade.
The Phillies are currently atop the National League East and rely heavily on Duran as they push toward the postseason.
Kyle Schwarber expressed the team’s uneasy optimism, stating,
“You just kind keep your fingers crossed there, and hope that it’s nothing super serious.”
Next steps for Duran and the team’s outlook
The Phillies plan to conduct further evaluations on Duran’s ankle on Saturday to determine the extent of the injury and the expected recovery timeline. The outcome of these assessments will be crucial as the team navigates the final stretch of the regular season with key postseason aspirations at stake. Maintaining the health of their closer will remain a top priority as the Phillies strive to strengthen their pitching depth.