Fantasy News

• Twins' Jhoan Duran: Secures seventh save

  Rotowire May 27, 2024

  Duran picked up the save Monday against Kansas City. He pitched one-third of an inning with no strikeouts, allowing one unearned run on two hits. Duran entered to collect the last out with runners on second and third and a four-run lead. The Twins reliever barely survived as a hit-by-pitch, two hits and a fielding error allowed three runs to cross. However, after all that chaos, Duran promptly retired Bobby Witt via a one-pitch groundout with runners on second and third to walk away victorious. The flamethrowing righty has secured the last four Minnesota saves, posting a 2.70 ERA and 3:1 K:BB over 3.1 innings during that span.

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• Twins' Jhoan Duran: Notches sixth save

  Rotowire May 26, 2024

  Duran threw a perfect ninth inning with one strikeout against the Rangers on Saturday to earn his sixth save of the season. The Twins grabbed the lead in the bottom of the eighth on an Alex Kirilloff three-run homer, and Duran was there the next half inning to close the door. He retired the side in order on just eight pitches and is now the team leader in saves with six to Griffin Jax's five, even though Duran missed the first month of the season due to an oblique injury. Duran has been used occasionally in the eighth since making his return, but he's still clearly the preferred closing option in Minnesota when manager Rocco Baldelli has the luxury of holding him back for the ninth.

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• Twins' Jhoan Duran: Holds on for fourth save

  Rotowire May 22, 2024

  Duran picked up the save in Wednesday's 3-2 win over the Nationals despite allowing a run on two hits in the ninth inning. He struck out one. Called upon to protect a two-run lead in the ninth, Duran got off to a rocky start, surrendering a leadoff homer to Joey Meneses followed by a Luis Garcia single. However, following a sac bunt that moved Garcia into scoring position, Duran struck out Joey Gallo before inducing a game-ending groundout from Keibert Ruiz to close out a 3-2 win. While he was able to escape with the save Wednesday, Duran's been shaky recently, allowing homers in three consecutive outings and five runs over 2.2 innings in that span. He now has four saves with a 4.66 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 10:3 K:BB across 9.2 innings to start the year.

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• Twins' Jhoan Duran: Takes another loss on homer

  Rotowire May 20, 2024

  Duran (0-2) took the loss Sunday against the Guardians, giving up a game-ending home run in the bottom of the ninth inning. He allowed three runs on one hit and two walks with no strikeouts in two-thirds of an inning. It was the second home run that Duran allowed in the late innings in a tied game in the three-game series during which the Twins were swept. Duran hadn't walked a batter in eight innings before Sunday, so this is probably a minor setback. The bigger worry for fantasy managers is that he's been used in the eighth inning against the heart of the opposing team's order several times since his return from the injured list, ceding the save chance to another arm (usually Griffin Jax) in the bullpen. While Duran as the top choice for saves, Twins manager Rocco Baldelli isn't afraid to use him earlier in games or in tied games on the road.

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• Twins' Jhoan Duran: Picks up third hold

  Rotowire May 11, 2024

  Duran walked one batter in a scoreless eighth inning Friday to record his third hold of the season in a 3-2 win over the Blue Jays. The right-hander once again got used as a fireman rather than a closer, facing the top of the Toronto order in the eighth rather than being held back for the ninth. Griffin Jax wound up giving up a run in ninth but still came away with the save. Duran has three saves and three holds in six appearances since coming off the IL on April 30, and he's been lights out in general, posting a 0.00 ERA, 0.50 WHIP and 8:1 K:BB through six innings. His usage could hurt his fantasy value in standard 5x5 roto or points formats that count saves but not holds, but Twins manager Rocco Baldelli isn't likely to change up how he deploys Duran as long as it keeps working.

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• Twins' Jhoan Duran: Locks down third save

  Rotowire May 9, 2024

  Duran earned the save in a win over the Mariners on Wednesday, pitching a perfect ninth inning while striking out one. Duran entered the game with a 6-3 lead in the top of the ninth and needed nine pitches to record the first out. The right-handed reliever then managed to work his way back from a 3-0 count to retire Jorge Polanco on strikes for the final out of the game. It marked Duran's third save of the season, and he's now pitched a perfect inning in back-to-back appearances. He's also yet to walk a batter or allow a run across five innings.

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• Twins' Jhoan Duran: Works eighth inning

  Rotowire May 6, 2024

  Duran struck out two batters in a scoreless eighth inning and earned a hold during Monday's win over Seattle. Duran was called upon to face the Mariners' 9-1-2 hitters in a 3-1 contest. After earning a save in each of his first two appearances of 2024, he's picked up a hold in his last two games. Duran is the primary closing option in Minnesota but it appears there may be more of a committee than expected. Last season, he converted 27 of 32 saves and picked up only one hold.

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• Twins' Jhoan Duran: Slams door for save

  Rotowire May 3, 2024

  Duran struck out two batters in a perfect inning to earn a save over the Red Sox on Friday. Duran needed just 11 pitches to quickly retire the middle third of Boston's lineup. He's struck out three batters while grabbing a pair of saves in two appearances since returning from the injured list. The 26-year-old posted terrific numbers last season -- 2.45 ERA and 12.1 K/9 through 62.1 innings -- and should see plenty of save chances in 2024.

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• Twins' Jhoan Duran: Reinstated Tuesday, as expected

  Rotowire Apr 30, 2024

  The Twins activated Duran (oblique) from the 15-day injured list Tuesday. Minnesota will finally have its closer healthy and available after Duran missed the first month of the season due to an oblique strain. The right-hander labored a bit during his first rehab outing, but he looked like himself during his second and final appearance Saturday, as he averaged 101.8 mph with his fastball. Manager Rocco Baldelli hasn't officially indicated whether or not Duran will immediately slot back in as the Twins' closer, but he seems likely to get ninth-inning chances sooner than later.

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• Twins' Jhoan Duran: In line to be activated Tuesday

  Rotowire Apr 29, 2024

  Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said that Duran (oblique) will likely be activated from the 15-day injured list Tuesday, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. Duran has rejoined the Twins in Chicago following a pair of minor-league rehab appearances. While he won't be activated prior to Monday's series opener versus the White Sox, Duran looks like he just needed one additional day of recovery after making his most recent rehab appearance Saturday. Baldelli didn't say whether Duran would immediately regain his closer job or be eased back in upon his reinstatement, but fantasy managers should probably go ahead and activate the hard thrower for this week so as not to miss out on any potential saves he might net.

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• Twins' Jhoan Duran: Activation imminent

  Rotowire Apr 29, 2024

  Duran (oblique) is with the Twins in Chicago for their series against the White Sox and his activation from the 15-day injured list appears imminent, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. There's no word on Duran possibly being activated Monday, but it sounds like he should join the roster at some point during the series. The closer has been out all season with a right oblique strain but is ready to roll after making two rehab appearances. It's possible manager Rocco Baldelli will want to see Duran in a low-leverage spot or two initially, but it shouldn't be long before he's closing again for the Twins.

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• Twins' Jhoan Duran: Bounces back in second rehab outing

  Rotowire Apr 29, 2024

  Duran (oblique) averaged 101.8 mph with his fastball while striking out two in a scoreless inning in his second rehab appearance with Triple-A St. Paul on Saturday. In his first rehab appearance April 23, Duran allowed two runs on four hits and didn't have his typical velocity, but he looked more like his normal, dominant self Saturday. He averaged 101.8 miles per hour with his fastball Saturday and induced three swings and misses on the four splitters he threw. The Twins haven't announced when Duran will be activated from the 15-day injured list, but it could be any day now, and perhaps as soon as Monday, when the team begins a three-game series with the White Sox. Duran has been out all season with a right oblique strain.

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• Twins' Jhoan Duran: Throws live BP

  Rotowire Apr 19, 2024

  Duran (oblique) threw a 21-pitch live batting practice session Friday and felt no discomfort, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports. Duran was supposed to throw 20 pitches Friday, but manager Rocco Baldelli noted that the right-hander "wanted an extra [pitch], so that tells you he's feeling good." It's another positive step for Duran, and he appears close to starting a rehab assignment. He began the season on the 15-day IL due to a right oblique strain he sustained in spring training.

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• Twins' Jhoan Duran: Should face hitters Friday

  Rotowire Apr 16, 2024

  Duran (oblique) threw a 25-pitch bullpen session Tuesday and expects to face live batters Friday, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports. It's an encouraging step for Duran, who recently progressed to mound work after starting the season on the injured list with an oblique strain. The right-hander should face hitters a few times before moving on to a rehab assignment, and he could be back with the Twins before the end of April.

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• Twins' Jhoan Duran: Could face hitters soon

  Rotowire Apr 15, 2024

  Duran (oblique) will throw another bullpen session Tuesday, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports. He threw his first bullpen session since his oblique strain on Friday, and if he gets through that with no issues he could be cleared for live batting practice sessions. Duran would figure to require at least a couple live BP sessions before beginning a rehab assignment.

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• Twins' Jhoan Duran: Throws bullpen session

  Rotowire Apr 12, 2024

  Duran (oblique) threw a bullpen session Friday, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports. The conditions at Comerica Park on Friday were rainy, but Duran got in some mound work anyway. It's the first time he's thrown a bullpen session since he was diagnosed with a Grade 2 right oblique strain back in mid-March. Duran figures to require another bullpen session or two before progressing to facing hitters and eventually going out on a rehab assignment. He would appear to have a shot to be back with the Twins before the end of the month.

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• Twins' Jhoan Duran: Still no set timetable for return

  Rotowire Apr 6, 2024

  Duran (oblique) threw on flat ground from 105 feet Saturday and said afterward that he no longer has pain in his oblique, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports. Duran said that it's been "a lot of days" since he's felt pain in his oblique, but he's still unsure of what his return timeline will look like. A better picture likely won't come into focus until he's further along in his throwing progression. Griffin Jax has the Twins' lone save so far this season in Duran's absence.

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• Twins' Jhoan Duran: Settling back in as closer

  Rotowire Mar 4, 2024

  Duran threw a scoreless inning with a strikeout in Sunday's Grapefruit League tie with Tampa Bay. He bounced back after giving up four earned runs over two-thirds of an inning in his first spring outing. Duran is healthy as spring begins and is entrenched as Minnesota's closer. Twins manager Rocco Baldelli has a history of using his bullpen in disregard of the save rule, but he mostly used Duran in a traditional closer role last year. For this spring there's no sign that Baldelli plans any change even though the Twins may have the deepest setup crew in recent memory.

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• Twins' Jhoan Duran: Punches out two in save

  Rotowire Oct 3, 2023

  Duran closed out the save in Tuesday's 3-1 win over the Blue Jays in Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Series, allowing one walk in a scoreless inning. He struck out two. The young right-hander led the team with 27 saves in 59 regular-season games and the Twins unsurprisingly turned to him again in the ninth inning to close out Tuesday's win. Duran was making his first career appearance as a closer in the postseason. Also foreseeable were his two strikeouts, as Duran carried a 12.1 K/9 across 62.1 innings during the season.

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• Twins' Jhoan Duran: Bags 24th save

  Rotowire Sep 2, 2023

  Duran earned a save against Texas on Saturday, allowing one unearned run on two hits while striking out two batters over one inning. Duran entered in the bottom of the 10th inning after Minnesota took a three-run lead in the top of the frame. The right-hander retired the first two batters he faced before Jonah Heim laced a single to score the inherited runner. Robbie Grossman followed with an infield single to bring the winning run to the plate, but Duran struck out Josh Smith to escape the jam. The save was the 24th of the season for Duran, seventh most in the American League.

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