Phillies closer Jhoan Duran reported that he is “100 percent” healthy on Saturday, just hours after being taken off the field in a game against the Washington Nationals. The prompt update came after a worrying incident during the match, alleviating concerns about his condition.
Details of the Injury and Immediate Response
Duran suffered the injury on Friday while pitching in the ninth inning. On his fourth pitch, a hard-ground ball hit by Paul DeJong struck Duran’s lower leg and rebounded toward the first-base line. Duran quickly moved to retrieve the ball but stopped abruptly and signaled for help. After consulting with manager Rob Thomson and the team’s trainers, he was eventually carted off the field following a considerable delay.
Manager Rob Thomson described the moment:
“He ran like a shot over to retrieve the ball, and then once he got there, I think the adrenaline wore off and the pain set in,”
Thomson said.
“Before the cart came out, it took a long time and he said, ‘I feel better, I think I can walk over to the dugout.’ But there’s all these steps here and we wanted to use the cart.”
Fortunately, X-rays taken after the incident came back negative, providing relief to both the team and fans. Prior to the incident on Saturday, reports indicated that Duran showed no signs of limping or discomfort during warm-ups for the National League East showdown.
Duran’s Performance and Role Since Joining the Phillies
Acquired from the Minnesota Twins on July 30 in exchange for Mick Abel and Eduardo Tait, 27-year-old Jhoan Duran quickly established himself as a crucial asset for Philadelphia’s bullpen. Regarded as one of the major leagues’ hardest throwers, Duran has successfully converted all four save opportunities with the Phillies, holding a perfect 0.00 ERA across four innings.
Throughout the season, Duran has tallied 20 saves in 22 chances with an impressive 1.86 ERA over 54 appearances. His overall statistics include 56 strikeouts and 18 walks in 53 1/3 innings pitched. In his four major league campaigns, including nearly four seasons with the Twins, Duran has accumulated 78 saves in 87 attempts, alongside a 17-23 win-loss record and a 2.42 ERA across 227 relief appearances.
Implications for the Phillies’ Bullpen Stability
The quick recovery and positive injury update are critical for Philadelphia as they continue their pursuit in the National League East. Duran’s reliability as a closer strengthens the Phillies’ late-game pitching staff, and keeping him healthy remains essential for their postseason aspirations. The team will monitor his condition closely, but this reassuring news suggests minimal interruption to his role moving forward.