Phillies Closer Duran Placed on IL with Oblique Strain

Injury expected to be short-term, but timeline uncertain

Apr. 19, 2026 at 1:25am

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting a baseball pitcher's throwing motion broken down into overlapping geometric shapes in muted navy, green, and orange tones, conveying the uncertainty and disruption caused by the pitcher's injury.An injured Phillies closer's recovery timeline remains uncertain as the team navigates the challenges of a key bullpen absence.Philadelphia Today

The Philadelphia Phillies have placed closer Jhoan Duran on the 15-day injured list due to a strained left oblique muscle. Manager Rob Thomson announced the move on Saturday, stating that Duran has not pitched since April 11. Duran described the injury as 'very mild' but acknowledged the timeline for his return is uncertain.

Why it matters

Duran has been a key part of the Phillies' bullpen, recording 4 saves so far this season. His absence could impact the team's ability to close out games while he recovers from the oblique strain, which are notoriously tricky injuries for pitchers.

The details

Duran suffered the oblique strain during a recent outing and has not pitched since April 11. The Phillies have placed him on the 15-day injured list, though Duran said the injury is 'very mild' and he is hopeful the timeline for his return will be short. However, oblique strains can sometimes linger, so the team is taking a cautious approach with their closer.

  • Duran last pitched on April 11.
  • The Phillies placed Duran on the 15-day injured list on April 19.

The players

Jhoan Duran

The Philadelphia Phillies' closer, who has recorded 4 saves so far this season.

Rob Thomson

The manager of the Philadelphia Phillies.

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What they’re saying

“It's not going to be long, but I can't hold you to that.”

— Jhoan Duran, Phillies Closer

What’s next

The Phillies will monitor Duran's progress and provide updates on his recovery timeline in the coming days and weeks.

The takeaway

Duran's oblique injury is a setback for the Phillies, who will need to find a temporary closer while he recovers. The team is hopeful the issue will be short-term, but oblique strains can sometimes linger, so they will need to be cautious with Duran's return to action.