4:25 pm: Duran felt something in his side on Wednesday and again today when he got on the mound, reports Lochlahn March of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Thomson revealed that imaging showed a “very mild strain,” and the team hopes to have Duran back in the minimum 15 days, according to Todd Zolecki of MLB.com.
1:52 pm: The Phillies announced five roster moves, with the most prominent being Jhoan Duran‘s placement on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to April 15) due to a left oblique strain. Right-hander Seth Johnson and utilityman Felix Reyes were brought up from Triple-A in other moves, with Reyes’ contract selected to the 40-man roster for the first time. Utilityman Otto Kemp was optioned to Triple-A, and outfielder Pedro Leon was released.
Duran hasn’t pitched since last Saturday, but since the Phillies went 1-4 with an off-day during that stretch, the lack of usage was thought to be due to game situations rather than injury. More details on Duran’s injury and the severity of the strain should surface later today once manager Rob Thomson meets with the media, but unless the closer has the very mildest of strains, Duran is likely looking at at least a month on the shelf.
It’s a big loss for a Phillies team that is off to an underwhelming 8-11 start. While the bullpen as a whole has been shaky, Duran has been a stabilizing force at the back end. The closer has a 1.35 ERA, 33.3% strikeout rate, and zero walks over 6 2/3 innings, while recording saves in all five of his opportunities.
There’s no obvious candidate to step into the ninth-inning role, so the Phils might explore a committee situation until Duran is healthy. Jose Alvarado has an ugly 10.50 ERA over six innings, though that number is inflated by a huge .450 BABIP and Alvarado has past closing experience. Brad Keller, Orion Kerkering, or Tanner Banks could also get some save chances depending on the in-game situation.
Kemp has gotten only 22 trips to the plate this season, but just two hits in that small sample size has led to a .282 OPS and a ticket back to Lehigh Valley. Taking Kemp’s spot as a multi-positional bench player is Reyes, who will be making his MLB debut as soon as he enters a game.
Reyes was an international signing for the Phillies in 2020, and he isn’t considered a top-30 Philadelphia prospect in the eyes of either Baseball America or MLB Pipeline. The 25-year-old didn’t even make his Triple-A debut until he played six games with Lehigh Valley in 2025, but he has burst out of the gates this season by hitting .333/.345/.654 with six home runs over 84 PA. This production comes on the heels of an impressive Double-A season in 2025 that saw Reyes named Eastern League MVP for his work (.335/.365/.572 with 15 homers and 13 steals over 395 PA) in Reading.
It’s probably unlikely that Reyes will hit anything close to that level against MLB pitching, yet the Phillies have nothing to lose by giving a hot hitter a chance in place of the unproductive Kemp. Reyes has experience in both corner outfield and corner infield slots, so the Phils might look to give Reyes some work at third base since Alec Bohm‘s bat has been ice cold.
Leon was claimed off the Orioles’ waiver wire back in November, and his brief time on the 40-man roster didn’t result in any looks on the active roster. Leon was hitting .285/.358/.326 over his first 53 PA at the Triple-A level this season, and while Leon still has a minor league option remaining, the Phillies may have just valued the 40-man slot over whatever they felt Leon could provide to the organization. The 27-year-old returns to the open market in search of another chance to build on his limited MLB resume of seven games and 21 PA with the 2024 Astros.
Would love to know who the closer is gonna be
Mike Henneman, maybe.
How’s your fastball?
Goku – In a couple months Aroldis Chapman could be available. He’s good.
Are we fr?
Probably Alvarado
Doubtful with the way he has been pitching. Alvardo has been dreadful
I’m a bit of the belief that all relievers suck or else they’d be starters. Clearly, that hyperbole isn’t true, but does anyone else feel as if we traded for some Joe Jimenez with a great entrance?
Again, I completely admit that I dislike most relievers because of my simple brain and blaming, but I’ve genuinely not seen anything that makes me think Duran is the next coming of any elite closer. He’s like Joe Jimenez with a great entrance.
I accept any hate, but there are far too many hangers for me. That said, obviously, this is a big blow for a team that has a lot of sunk money especially on guys like Nola.
No disrespect to Nola because he’s a very good 2 or a 3 on a team that wants to win it all. He’s being paid like a 1 or great 2 at a time when we should only predict more decline despite how good his movement can be.
Apologies for the rant, but this team gives me so many 2011 vibes with clear Dom Brown vibes for Bohm and ugly payroll with nothing but an ugly future that only has the money keeping it at breathing level.
Yeah, well, you know, that’s just like, uh, your opinion, man.
Far out, man
Maybe Adolis Garcia can pull an Ohtani but as a closer. Dude has the best arm on the team.
@ el dude Yeah, those Twins bullpen trades last summer that almost everyone here thought were so awful are looking pretty good right now. Mick Abel and Taj Bradley are pitching well. Griffin Jax hasn’t been good for Tampa and now Duran’s injured. And the Twins are out to a great start with their new discount bullpen. But all we read on the comments here was a bunch of wailing about how the Twins had given up.
I’m surprised he doesn’t have whiplash too from watching rockets off opponents’ bats flying over the bullpen.
Phillies like the Yankees wanted to run it back the same team. Not sure I agree completely with that