Minnesota Twins closer Jhoan Duran improved to 5-3 in Monday's 8-6 extra-innings win over the White Sox. Duran came in to pitch the bottom of the 10th inning with the game tied and pitched a scoreless inning, allowing no hits and a walk with a strikeout. The Twins would score in the top of the 11th and Kody Funderburk closed out the game, making Duran the winning pitcher. The 26-year-old has not provided the strikeouts fantasy managers were expecting but has been solid overall, converting 13 of 14 save opportunities with a 3.14 ERA, an 8.16 K/9 rate, and a 3.14 BB/9 rate in 28 2/3 innings pitched. He did miss the start of the season with a right oblique strain and his pitches are all down about one MPH, but he still has electric stuff, which should help boost his strikeout rate.
Jhoan Duran Escapes Jam Vs. Royals To Secure Save No. 7
Minnesota Twins closer Jhoan Duran locked down his seventh save of the season on Monday, but things were far from pretty. Duran entered the ninth with a four-run lead, two outs, and runners on second and third. Duran kept the suspense high, allowing three runs to score after hitting a batter, two hits, and a fielding error, but ultimately remained in control, getting Bobby Witt Jr. to ground out to end the game. With a save in each of his last four appearances dating back to May 22, Duran's hold on the closer spot looks firm for the playoff-hopeful Twins.
Minnesota Twins closer Jhoan Duran got back on track in Friday's win over the visiting Texas Rangers, earning his fifth save of the year with one strikeout in the ninth inning. Travis Jankowski walked to get the tying run aboard, but Duran got Marcus Semien to ground out to secure the Twins' 3-2 win. Duran needed a bounce-back effort in the worst way after giving up five runs over his past three appearances, and while the 26-year-old fire-balling right-hander's 4.02 ERA through 10 2/3 innings overall out of Minnesota's bullpen in 2024 leaves a lot to be desired, his 1.03 WHIP is more encouraging. Duran has converted each of his five save opportunities for the Twins as well, and he's starting to get more ninth-inning work following a delayed start to the season.
Minnesota Twins closer Jhoan Duran took the loss in Sunday's 5-2 defeat against the Cleveland Guardians, allowing a walk-off three-run homer to Will Brennan in the ninth inning. Duran was tasked with keeping the game tied and giving Minnesota a chance to win it in extras, but after two walks (one intentional) the 26-year-old served up a curveball that Brennan sent deep. Interestingly, Duran said after the game that he wanted to throw a fastball but was told not to. Regardless of the poor outing and postgame comments, Duran remains a solid fantasy option for saves and should continue to be the Twins' highest-leverage option out of the bullpen.
Minnesota Twins closer Jhoan Duran was saddled with his first loss of the campaign in Friday's defeat to the division-rival Cleveland Guardians, surrendering his first run of the season. Summoned in the eighth inning to try and keep the game tied, Duran served up a go-ahead home run to Jose Ramirez before striking out Josh Naylor. Although the 26-year-old fire-balling right-hander has converted each of his three save opportunities while striking out nine and walking just one across his first eight innings of the year, his usage has been questionable from a fantasy perspective also with three holds for the Twins. Duran should still be viewed as the favorite for saves in Minnesota's bullpen, but manager Rocco Baldelli has shown a tendency to use him in the highest-leverage situations at times so far this year.
The Minnesota Twins have activated right-hander Jhoan Duran (oblique), who has missed the start of the season due to an oblique injury. Last season, the right-hander had 27 saves with a 2.45 ERA. Duran is one of the top closers in fantasy baseball and is expected to resume his role as the closer after his two-game rehab stint in Triple-A, as his fastball clocked in at an average of 101.8 mph. In a corresponding move, the Twins have designated right-hander Matt Bowman for assignment. Bowman had a 2.35 ERA in five games in 7 2/3 innings, allowing two runs out of the bullpen.
Minnesota Twins closer Jhoan Duran (oblique) is with the team in Chicago, but there hasn't been immediate news about him being officially activated from the 15-day injured list. However, that move should be imminent during the team's series against the White Sox early this week. Duran should be activated from the IL after recovering from a right-oblique strain that kept him from being ready for the start of the 2024 season. The 26-year-old made two appearances on a minor-league rehab assignment, but it's possible the Twins choose to ease him into high-leverage, late-inning situations at first. Still, Duran should be returned to starting fantasy lineups once he's activated, as he has proven in recent seasons he's a high-end closer when he's healthy. UPDATE: Manager Rocco Baldelli said Duran will likely be activated on Tuesday.
Jhoan Duran Making Another Rehab Appearance Saturday
Minnesota Twins closer Jhoan Duran (oblique) will make his next appearance on his rehab assignment with Triple-A St. Paul on Saturday, with his outing pushed back a day due to rain on Friday. It's a small hitch in the road for Duran on his way back from a strained right oblique, as he still figures to have a chance re-enter Minnesota's bullpen and be activated from the injured list as early as Monday's series opener on the road against the division-rival Chicago White Sox. Right-hander Griffin Jax's run as manager Rocco Baldelli's preferred ninth-inning man appears to be nearing a close, but he's submitted a strong 2.53 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, and 15:3 K:BB in 10 2/3 innings while converting four of his five save chances for the Twins in Duran's stead. Fantasy managers should look to sell high on Jax while his value is still heightened.
Minnesota Twins reliever Jhoan Duran (oblique) will begin a rehab assignment on Tuesday at Triple-A St. Paul. The fireballer recently threw a live batting practice without any discomfort and will now begin the next step in his recovery. Duran will likely be able to return to the majors within the next couple weeks, assuming there are no setbacks. The 26-year-old should be rostered in all fantasy formats as he offers high-end upside as a closer. He may not resume his ninth-inning duties right away for the Twins, but there is no doubt that he will return to closing at some point in the near future.
Minnesota Twins closer Jhoan Duran (oblique) threw 21 pitches of live batting practice before Friday's game at Target Field against the Detroit Tigers and didn't feel any discomfort. Duran is close to embarking on a minor-league rehab assignment. "He was supposed to throw 20 and he wanted an extra one, so that tells you he's feeling good," manager Rocco Baldelli said. Once the 26-year-old goes on a rehab assignment, it might not be long before Duran is able to make his 2024 debut. He should be rostered in all fantasy formats despite getting a late start to the season. While Duran can be a high-end fantasy closer when he's healthy, don't be surprised if the Twins ease him into late-inning situations when he initially returns to the big-league bullpen.
