The Philadelphia Phillies have been a different team with Jhoan Duran closing games, and they could ill-afford to lose him for long.
Luckily, it appears the won’t have to worry about that.
Duran reportedly did not sustain a fracture to his ankle when he was struck by a line drive during the Phillies’ 6-2 win over the Washington Nationals on Friday night which snapped a three-game losing streak.
Duran, who the Phillies acquired from the Minnesota Twins for catcher prospect Eduardo Tait and pitcher Mick Abel on July 30, has four saves and a 0.00 ERA in four innings over five appearances.
Thanks in part to Duran’s closing prowess, Philadelphia has built a six-game lead in the NL East over the New York Mets and improved their bullpen ERA.
What Happened To Jhoan Duran?
Duran was making his fifth appearance in a Phillies uniform Friday, starting the ninth inning in a non-save situation with his team leading 6-2 since he had not pitched in four days.
Yet, he threw just four pitches before Nationals third baseman Paul DeJong smoked a 94.1mph line drive off Duran’s ankle for an infield single — only the second hit surrendered by Duran since the trade.
“It hit him off the right ankle, the outer [part] of his ankle,â Phillies manager Rob Thomson said during his postgame press conference. “He ran like a shot over to retrieve the ball, and then once he got there the adrenaline wore off and the pain set in.”
David Robertson came in and got the final three outs, allowing a double to Luis Garcia Jr, before retiring the last three batters faced.
Thomson reported Duran had tried to walk off the field but was worried about getting to the clubhouse, but the Nationals called for a cart to get him off the field. He was reportedly walking through the Phillies clubhouse with a limp, Duran underwent X-rays which came back negative.
âBefore the cart came out he actually said, âI feel better. I think I can walk over to the dugout,â” Thomson said. “We have all these steps out here [that lead to the Phillies clubhouse], so we just wanted to use the cart and take him all the way around.”
The Phillies announced Duran would be further evaluated Saturday, and Thomson hopes the burly bulldog of a pitcher is well enough to move on his own by then.
“Heâs 240 pounds,” Thomson said with a wry smile. “I donât want him carrying all that up the stairs.”
Who Will Close For The Phillies If Jhoan Duran Is Injured?
Though it may not seem so, Duran’s injury is actually as well-timed as it could be.
Aside from the season-high lead atop the division, Philadelphia has Robertson, who has closing experience, even in Philadelphia. That makes him the best-available option to lock down games if Duran has to miss a game or two.
Plus, the Phillies are getting another high-leverage bullpen arm back after their series in the nation’s capital. Jose Alvarado, serving a suspension since mid-May for PEDs, is eligible to return Monday.
Alvarado has been dominant ramping up to return with Triple-A Lehigh Valley, giving up seven baserunners and striking out four in four appearances.
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