Duran Injured in Game Against Nationals, Phillies Hope for Quick Recovery
In a recent game, Jhoan Duran faced an unexpected setback after he was injured during his first appearance in a non-save situation since joining the Philadelphia Phillies. The star closer, who came over from Minnesota at the trade deadline, took a hard hit to his right ankle from a comebacker while pitching in the ninth inning against the Washington Nationals.
Fortunately, initial X-rays showed no major damage, and the team plans to evaluate him further soon. “It’s obviously a tough spot to get hit,” noted star outfielder Bryce Harper.
Duran had a four-run lead but found himself dealing with a challenging moment when Paul DeJong’s sharp grounder deflected off his ankle and resulted in a single. As he attempted to recover the ball, Duran started to limp and struggled to put weight on his foot. Team trainers quickly attended to him, leading to his use of a bullpen cart for transport off the field.
Phillies manager Rob Thomson shared that Duran expressed a desire to walk off himself, but given his size, the cart was the safer option. “He’s 240 pounds. I don’t want to be carrying him up the stairs,” Thomson remarked.
Despite the worry surrounding his injury, Duran has been effective since joining the Phillies, converting all four save opportunities. David Robertson stepped in to pitch in his place and managed to secure the win without allowing a run, ensuring that Duran’s record remains intact.
This season, Duran boasts an impressive 1.86 ERA and 20 saves, making him a vital asset as the Phillies aim for a strong playoff run. Teammate Kyle Schwarber expressed optimism, saying, “You just keep your fingers crossed and hope it’s nothing serious.”
As the team awaits more news on Duran’s condition, the hope is that he will recover quickly and continue to contribute as they push toward October baseball.
