Jhoan Duran Placed on Injured List Amid Left Oblique Strain The Philadelphia Phillies placed closer Jhoan Duran on the 15-day injured list on Saturday, April 18, 2026, due to a left oblique strain. The move is retroactive to Wednesday, April 15, marking the start of his absence from the team’s active roster. Duran, who had been a dominant force in the Phillies’ bullpen, will remain sidelined until at least April 30, according to the team’s official announcement. Duran entered the 2026 season as a key contributor, showcasing his effectiveness as the team’s primary closer. Through six games, he had pitched 6.2 innings while maintaining a 1.35 earned run average (ERA) and a 0.75 whip (walks plus hits per inning pitched). His five saves in that span highlighted his reliability in high-leverage situations. However, his recent performance was interrupted by the injury, as he had not pitched in a week prior to the placement on the injured list. The Phillies’ decision to place Duran on the IL comes as the team seeks to manage its bullpen depth amid the absence of its primary closer. Brad Keller and Jose Alvarado are expected to step into the saves role while Duran is sidelined. Additionally, the organization has called up Seth Johnson from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to bolster the bullpen’s options. Johnson, who has experience in the majors, will provide further flexibility in the late-inning scenarios. The injury adds another layer of challenge for the Phillies’ pitching staff, which has already faced adjustments due to the departure of other relievers. Duran’s absence could test the depth of the bullpen, particularly as the team navigates a critical stretch of the season.#philadelphia_phillies #jose_alvarado #jhoan_duran #brad_keller #seth_johnson
Jhoan Duran Placed on Injured List with Left Oblique Strain The Philadelphia Phillies announced on Saturday that star closer Jhoan Duran has been placed on the 15-day injured list due to a left oblique strain. The move is retroactive to Wednesday, meaning Duran, who has not appeared in a game since April 11, will be eligible to return from the injured list on April 30. The decision comes as the team seeks to manage its bullpen while Duran recovers. Duran, 28, has been a key contributor for the Phillies this season, posting a 1-1 record with five saves in seven games. Through 6 2/3 innings, he has allowed two runs (one earned) while striking out eight batters and walking none. The right-hander was acquired from the Minnesota Twins in a trade before the July 31 deadline and has since recorded a 1.98 ERA across 27 1/3 innings with the team. Since joining the Phillies, Duran has converted 21 of his 24 save opportunities, showcasing his reliability in high-leverage situations. The injury comes at a critical juncture for the Phillies’ bullpen, which has relied heavily on Duran’s dominance in high-stakes moments. With his absence, the team is expected to turn to right-hander Brad Keller as the primary closer for the ninth inning. Keller, who signed a two-year contract with the Phillies as a free agent in December, previously served as the Chicago Cubs’ closer late last season. This season, Keller has a 4.70 ERA through 7 2/3 innings, though his expected ERA, based on advanced metrics, is projected at 2.51. In addition to Duran’s placement, the Phillies made another bullpen move by adding right-hander Seth Johnson to their roster. Johnson, who has appeared in just one game this season, gave up five runs (three earned) in 1 2/3 innings against the Cubs on April 13.#philadelphia_phillies #minnesota_twins #jhoan_duran #brad_keller #seth_johnson
