The Philadelphia Phillies are expected to receive a major boost to their bullpen this week, with closer Jhoan Duran set to return from the injured list ahead of Tuesday’s series opener against the Oakland Athletics.
Interim manager Don Mattingly confirmed Monday that the Phillies plan to activate Duran from the 15-day injured list before the team opens its home series at Citizens Bank Park. His return would mark the end of a nearly month-long absence for the hard-throwing reliever, who has not pitched since April 11 because of a strained left oblique.
Although Duran technically became eligible for activation before Monday’s game, the Phillies chose to wait an extra day out of caution. The right-hander recently completed a bullpen session in which he reportedly touched 100 mph with his fastball, a strong sign that he is physically ready to return. Even with that encouraging velocity, the organization decided to give him one additional day before officially reinstating him.
The Phillies do not believe Duran needs a minor league rehab assignment before rejoining the major league roster. Both Mattingly and Duran expressed confidence that the closer is prepared to jump right back into big league action without needing game reps in the minors. Given Duran’s elite arm strength and the fact that he was already throwing at full velocity in bullpen work, the team appears comfortable bringing him back immediately.
Before suffering the injury, Duran had been dominant in the closer role for Philadelphia. In seven appearances this season, he posted a 1.35 ERA while recording five saves and compiling a 1-1 record. His ability to consistently overpower hitters with triple-digit velocity quickly made him one of the Phillies’ most reliable bullpen weapons.
His absence has been felt significantly.
Since Duran last pitched on April 11, Philadelphia’s bullpen has struggled to maintain the same level of consistency late in games. Over that span, Phillies relievers have combined for a 4.59 ERA, and the team has had limited opportunities to convert saves without its primary closer available. In fact, Philadelphia has had only one ninth-inning save opportunity during Duran’s absence, underscoring both the bullpen’s instability and the challenges the team has faced closing out games.
Veteran reliever Brad Keller handled the most recent save opportunity on Friday against the Miami Marlins, though he allowed a run in the ninth inning before securing the save. While Keller and others have helped fill the void, the bullpen has clearly lacked the dominance and structure Duran provides at the back end.
Duran’s return should help stabilize the Phillies’ relief corps significantly. Not only does he reclaim the closer role, but his presence also allows the rest of the bullpen to slot back into more natural positions, improving overall flexibility for the pitching staff.
The Phillies will be hoping his return comes at the perfect time as they begin a new series at home and look to build momentum moving forward. A healthy Duran gives Philadelphia one of the most electric late-inning arms in baseball and strengthens a bullpen that has shown vulnerability in his absence.
If Duran returns at full strength and maintains the form he displayed before landing on the injured list, his activation could provide a substantial lift for a Phillies team looking to solidify its bullpen and make a stronger push in the weeks ahead.
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