The start of the 2026 season has been full of disappointment for the Philadelphia Phillies. The team received more bad news on Saturday, with their All-Star-level closer heading to the injured list.

Phillies Place Johan Duran On The Injured List

The Phillies placed their closer, Johan Duran, on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to April 15) on Saturday with a left oblique strain.

The concerning part of all this is that oblique injuries typically aren’t something that keeps a player out for a week or two, then they’re back in the mix. They can be serious enough to keep a player sidelined for months. It still remains to be seen how serious Durran’s oblique injury is.

In a season that has been largely disappointing for the Phillies so far, Duran has been one of the team’s bright spots. The right-hander has logged five saves in seven appearances, and owns a 1.35 ERA and 0.75 WHIP in 6.2 innings pitched.

Apr 11, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Jhoan Duran (59) throws a pitch against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the ninth inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images

Duran’s stuff has been as strong this year as it has been throughout his career, too.

The 28-year-old’s fastball velocity ranks in the 94th percentile with an average velo of 98.2 mph. He also has a chase rate of 38.3 percent (94th percentile), whiff-rate of 36.5 percent (92nd percentile), and strikeout rate of 33.3 percent (90th percentile). Plus, he’s yet to give up a walk this season.