JHOAN DURAN NEWS

Hangs on for win Friday Duran (2-2) picked up the win in Friday's 3-2 extra-inning victory over the Blue Jays, allowing one hit and two walks over two scoreless innings. He struck out two.

Impact With the score tied 2-2, Duran was brought in to face the bottom of the Toronto order in the ninth inning and nearly made a mess, plunking Santiago Espinal to lead off the frame and eventually loading the bases with two outs before escaping the jam. After Minnesota took the lead in the top of the 10th, however, the team's closer looked a little more comfortable as he finished things out. Duran has struck out multiple batters in nine of 11 appearances since the beginning of May, a stretch of dominance that has seen him post a 0.63 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 20:6 K:BB through 14.1 innings, but circumstances have let him record only two saves during that time. If the Twins can get him more opportunities, expect the 25-year-old to have few issues converting them.

JUNE 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Tagged for walkoff homer Duran (1-2) took the loss Wednesday as the Twins were downed 2-1 by the Rays, failing to record an out and serving up a game-winning solo home run to Randy Arozarena.

Impact The right-hander looked like he might be warming up to handle a save chance, as Minnesota scored its only run of the game in the top of the ninth inning and threatened to add more with the bases loaded and one out. Tampa Bay turned a slick double play to end the rally however, and Arozarena then drove the second pitch he saw from Duran over the wall in right field. It's the first earned run the Twins' closer has allowed in over a month and the first time he's been taken deep since April 12, and on the season Duran still sits with a stellar 1.57 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 32:10 K:BB through 23 innings.

JUNE 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Duran ties his velo record, fights off boredom MINNEAPOLIS -- Apparently, Jhoan Duran needed to feel a little bit more challenged, because it seems that throwing high-leverage ninth innin...

JUNE 3, 2023 • MLB.COM

Notches five-out save Duran allowed a hit and a walk over 1.2 scoreless innings Friday, striking out three and earning a save over the Guardians.

Impact Duran's walk was an intentional one and he didn't face much resistance while closing the 1-0 victory. He picked up his first save since May 5 and has now converted eight of his nine chances on the year. Duran has gone 12.2 straight innings without allowing an earned run, lowering his season ERA to 1.17.

JUNE 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Hits 104 mph with fastball Duran allowed a hit while striking out two over two-thirds of a scoreless ninth inning in Wednesday's 7-1 win over the Giants. He threw 104.6 mph and 104.4 mph fastballs, which are...

Impact Duran was getting work in a blowout win as he hadn't pitched in four days. With the Twins off Thursday, Duran should be available for Friday's game against Toronto.

MAY 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

104.6 mph! Duran's heat sets new velo ceiling for '23 Jhoan Duran just popped the first 104 of the season on the radar gun. The flame-throwing reliever threw three pitches 104 mph or faster in t...

MAY 24, 2023 • MLB.COM

Gleeman: Twins have no one to blame but themselves for bullpen struggles Emilio Pagán and Griffin Jax are struggling, and the Twins' cheaply built bullpen is a weakness again despite Jhoan Duran's brilliance.

MAY 22, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Secures seventh save Duran picked up the save in Friday's 2-0 win over the Guardians, tossing a scoreless ninth in which he allowed one walk and zero hits while striking out two.

Impact Duran continues to struggle with walks (seven over his past five outings), but he hasn't blown a save since April 11. The closer is 7-for-8 in save opportunities on the year and currently sports a 2.13 ERA, a 1.11 WHIP and a 16:9 K:BB through 12.2 innings.

MAY 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Records one-out save Duran picked up his sixth save of the season Sunday in an 8-4 win over the Royals after he came in to record the final out of the game.

Impact Duran was not expected to be used Sunday after throwing 25 pitches while struggling with his control in Saturday's loss to the Royals. The Twins went into the ninth Sunday with a comfortable 8-2 lead, however, things became tighter than anticipated after Josh Winder allowed two runs. Duran was then called upon to close with runners on second and third and got Edward Olivares to fly out to end the game. The 25-year-old is now tied for fourth in baseball with six saves and should be ready if needed Tuesday with the Twins off Monday.

APRIL 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Takes loss Saturday Duran took the loss Saturday against Kansas City by allowing a run in the ninth inning of a tied game. He allowed a run on three walks while striking out one over one inning.

Impact Duran returned after missing Friday's game due to an immigration-related appointment that required travel. Duran was wild, but not hit hard as a sacrifice bunt and wild pitch factored into the run allowed. He has a 2.61 ERA and 14:6 K:BB ratio in 10.1 innings and should remain the primary closer.

APRIL 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Could miss more time Duran, who left town early Friday morning to attend to immigration matters, has an uncertain return date, manager Rocco Baldelli told the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

Impact It's not clear if Duran's absence will last a day or several days. Jorge Lopez converted a save chance Friday with Duran out. Lopez is likely the top option to close again Saturday if Duran is still away.

APRIL 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Could miss Friday's game Duran may not be available for Friday's game against Kansas City due to an immigration-related appointment requiring travel, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports. Duran threw a sc...

Impact Duran was used in the ninth inning in a non-save situation since he seems likely to miss Friday's game. It sounds like he's not expected to miss more than one game, however. Duran has a 1.93 ERA with five saves and 13 strikeouts in 9.1 innings.

APRIL 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Locks down save No. 5 Duran struck out one and did not give up a hit in a scoreless ninth Sunday against the Nationals to secure his fifth save of the season.

Impact Duran sent all three batters down in 12 pitches in what was his first save since April 14. The 25-year-old flamethrower has held opponents scoreless in six of his eight outings, and now sits at a 2.45 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and a 10:2 K:BB over 7.1 innings.

APRIL 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Back on track with fourth save Duran gave up one hit in a scoreless ninth inning Friday against the Yankees to pick up the save.

Impact He didn't strike out any batters, but he logged his fourth save of the season and got back on track after giving up a run in each of his last two outings. Jorge Lopez has arguably been the Twins' best reliever in the early going, but Duran has 80 percent of the saves.

APRIL 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Allows home run, earns third save Duran gave up two hits including a home run Wednedsay against the White Sox, but held on to record his third save of the season.

Impact Duran entered the game with a 3-0 lead in the ninth, but gave the White Sox a glimmer of hope after allowing a solo homer to Lenyn Sosa. The 25-year-old closer now improves to 3-for-4 in save chances this season, but has also allowed two home runs in as many days.

APRIL 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Twins beat White Sox 4-3 in 10 innings on throwing error

Hanser Alberto’s throwing error allowed the automatic runner to score from second base and the Minnesota Twins beat the Chicago White Sox 4-3 in 10 innings

APRIL 12, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Picks up second save Duran picked up the save in Saturday's 9-6 win over the Astros. He struck out the only batter he faced.

Impact After the Twins scored four runs in the bottom of the eighth to extend the lead to 9-4, Jovani Moran gave two back in the top of the ninth to turn it back into a save situation for Minnesota. Duran got the call and was up to the task, striking out Yainer Diaz on three pitches. Jorge Lopez pitched the seventh inning Saturday as the first arm out of the bullpen in relief of starter Joe Ryan. Duran now has two saves this season to Lopez's one.

APRIL 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Unavailable for save chance Sunday Twins manager Rocco Baldelli told reporters that that Duran was unavailable after "sleeping funny" for Saturday's game against the Royals.

Impact Baldelli says that it was nothing serious, but that's why it was Jorge Lopez was given the save chance for Saturday's game rather than Duran. The talented right-hander appears likely to be available going forward, and it appears he's the favorite for save chances to begin -- and likely end -- the 2023 campaign.

APRIL 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Gets first save chance Duran pitched a scoreless ninth inning while walking one and striking out one to earn the save Thursday against the Royals.

Impact Duran was called upon to protect a two-run lead in the ninth inning. He allowed a one-out walk, though the lead never felt in danger and he collected his first save of the new campaign. Notably, Jorge Lopez recorded the final two outs of the seventh frame and does not currently appear to pose true competition to Duran for the closer role.

MARCH 31, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Pablo Lopez, Twins' bullpen blank Royals 2-0 on opening day

Pablo Lopez pitched two-hit ball into the sixth inning of his Twins debut, and Trevor Larnach and pinch-hitter Donovan Solano each drove in a run as Minnesota beat the Kansas City...

MARCH 30, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Ranking MLB's best 26-and-under pitchers

After ranking all 30 MLB organizations by their 26-and-under talent, here are our top-26 young pitchers.

MARCH 28, 2023

Returns from sore leg Duran threw a scoreless inning in Thursday's spring training loss to Toronto. Duran was hit by a line drive in his leg Sunday during a minor league game.

Impact Duran only suffered a bruise and his leg shouldn't be an issue for Opening Day. He'll be a primary weapon in the Minnesota bullpen again, but manager Rocco Baldelli hasn't tipped his hand about his plan for the closer role this spring. While Duran may be Minnesota's best reliever, Baldelli usually runs his bullpen with disregard to the save statistic. Duran had eight saves and 18 holds with a 1.86 ERA over 67.2 innings as a rookie last season.

MARCH 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Set to pitch Thursday Duran (leg) is scheduled to pitch in Thursday's spring training game against Toronto, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Impact Duran took a line drive to the leg Sunday but walked away with nothing more than a bruise. There never was much concern over his injury to begin with, and Duran himself said his leg is fine. The 25-year-old reliever was dominant last season while recording eight saves alongside a 1.86 ERA and 0.98 WHIP through 67.2 innings, and he appears in line to have a similar 2023 campaign.

MARCH 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Suffers leg contusion Duran sustained a leg contusion after being struck by a line drive during a backfield game Sunday, and manager Rocco Baldelli said the right-hander was "moving pretty well," Dan Ha...

Impact There doesn't seem to be much concern regarding the incident, so it appears Duran escaped with only a minor injury. The 25-year-old may be held out for a couple days but should return to the mound relatively quickly. Duran had eight saves and 18 holds with a 1.86 ERA over 67.2 innings as a rookie last season, and he may not see consistent saves this year since Baldelli prioritizes late-inning matchups over the usage of a traditional closer.

MARCH 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Having strong spring Duran has thrown five scoreless innings with seven strikeouts and two walks this spring. He reached 101.1 mph with his fastball in his last outing Thursday.

Impact Duran has already been in mid-season form with his velocity and looks ready for the regular season. He'll be a primary weapon in the Minnesota bullpen, but manager Rocco Baldelli hasn't tipped his hand about his plan for the closer role this spring. While Duran may be the best reliever, Baldelli usually runs his bullpen with disregard to the save statistic. Duran may be used in high-leverage matchups with Jorge Lopez pitching the ninth inning, for example. However, Duran's elite velocity and prior success are traits that could lead Baldelli to break with tradition and use him as the primary closer if he opts to abandon the committee approach.

MARCH 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE