PHILADELPHIA — For the first time in a while, the Phillies have a set closer. Acquired on Wednesday via trade from the Minnesota Twins, 27-year-old right-hander Jhoan Duran will man the ninth inning for Rob Thomson’s club.
“He’s really good,” Thomson said of the Phillies’ new closer. “He’s one of the best in the game, if he’s not the best.”
Duran has appeared in 49 games this season, saving 16 with a 2.01 ERA. He has a 25.7% strikeout rate and 64.4% ground-ball rate. Hitters have hit .219 against Duran with a .553 OPS. Duran has a 2.