Jhoan Duran is (Mostly) Back to Being Himself

The Minnesota Twins kicked off the 2024 Major League Baseball season without Jhoan Duran. Rocco Baldelli’s closer started the year on the injured list with an oblique injury. He has been up and down this year but it trneding in a positive direction.

Minnesota Twins getting the best from Jhoan Duran… without 104 MPH

Through his first 18 outings this season Jhoan Duran owned a 4.32 ERA for the Minnesota Twins. Rocco Baldelli’s closer was pumping his typical velocity, either. As the season has gone on, the heat hasn’t gotten back to where it was, but his effectiveness is certainly back.

Since June 12, Duran has pitched in 25 games. He owns a 2.66 ERA in that stretch, and it has been backed by an even better 2.33 FIP. Opponents have managed just a paltry .562 OPS against him and Duran has struck out 27 across 23 2/3 innings.

Related: Jhoan Duran is Back and His New Cleats are Fire

The Twins bullpen has seen plenty of arms cycled through due to injury, which makes Jhoan Duran’s effectiveness and steadying presence all that more important. But he needed some help, while he figured things out in April and May.

Jhoan Duran isn’t Minnesota Twins only backend bullpen piece

So while Duran stumbled out of the 2024 gates, Griffin Jax took off. And now, the former Air Force starter has proven to be one of the best relievers in baseball. With Brock Stewart done for the year, it has been Jax and Duran in the biggest spots for Minnesota. And that won’t change anytime soon.

Jorge Alcalá, 100mph ⛽️ and Vicious 91mph Slider…and Sword ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/m0MFEphWNE

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 30, 2024

Beyond just Jax and Duran, middle relievers such as Jorge Alcala and Cole Sands have played integral roles this season as well. The former owns a 2.15 ERA across 46 innings while the latter has pitched 55 2/3 innings with a 3.23 ERA.

Related: Is Griffin Jax Taking Twins’ Top Reliever Role from Jhoan Duran?

Duran is unlikely to be fully healthy until the offseason allows him a chance to recover. Once the oblique can fully heal, there should be no reason that Duran won’t again be touching 104 mph with his fastball. Even with slightly diminished velocity, the Minnesota closer has resumed looking like one of the most dominant relief arms in baseball.