The Philadelphia Phillies’ relief pitcher, Jhoan Duran, was taken off the playing field via a cart following a batted ball striking his right lower leg during the ninth inning of his team’s victory against the Washington Nationals on Friday (PHI 6, WAS 2). The baseball came off Paul DeJong’s swinging wood at a speed of 94.1 miles per hour, making contact with the ground before hitting Duran, who initially attempted to field the ball before displaying signs of discomfort.
Following the conclusion of the game, the Phillies organization communicated that the initial X-ray examination of Duran’s lower leg returned negative results, and he is scheduled to undergo additional evaluations on Saturday. Here’s the incident:
Duran, who is 27 years in age, joined the Phillies from the Minnesota Twins in advance of the trade deadline on July 31. He has performed remarkably well in his two weeks with the Phillies, pitching four innings without allowing a run and recording four strikeouts. Over the course of the entire season, Duran has posted a 1.86 earned run average alongside 20 save opportunities converted in 53 1/3 innings pitched.
To secure Duran, the Phillies parted ways with their highly regarded catching prospect, Eduardo Tait, in addition to right-handed pitcher Mick Abel, an exchange considered a substantial investment for a relief pitcher. However, Duran’s skill is undeniable, and Philadelphia possesses the option to retain him as an arbitration-eligible player for the 2026 and 2027 seasons. His status extends beyond a temporary acquisition, positioning him as one of baseball’s premier relief pitchers with long-term contractual control.
It is readily apparent that the absence of Duran would present a significant challenge for the Phillies, a team that has faced challenges with their bullpen throughout the current year, particularly in the ninth inning. Veteran pitcher David Robertson reached an agreement to join the club the prior month and was officially added to the active player roster earlier in the week. He might emerge as a closing pitcher alternative in the event that Duran is unavailable for a period of time.
The outcome of Friday’s contest resulted in Philadelphia’s record improving to 70 wins and 52 losses. They maintain a 5 1/2 game advantage in the National League East division standings.
