Philadelphia Phillies closer Jhoan Duran is expected to rejoin the bullpen on Tuesday night. The team plans to activate him from the 15-day injured list ahead of their series opener against the Oakland Athletics at Citizens Bank Park.
Interim manager Don Mattingly announced the activation plans on Monday afternoon, prior to the series finale against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot park in Miami. Duran could have returned on Monday but received an extra day after throwing 100 mph in a bullpen session on Saturday. He has been sidelined since April 11 due to a strained left oblique and will not require a rehab assignment, according to Mattingly and Duran himself. Mattingly noted, “Could you hit him at 100? I don’t know.” Before the injury, Duran posted a 1-1 record with a 1.35 ERA and five saves in seven appearances. The Phillies bullpen has struggled in his absence, recording a 4.59 ERA since April 11, with the team facing just one ninth-inning save chance in that span. Brad Keller secured a save on Friday night against Miami despite allowing a run in the ninth.