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Former Minnesota Twins Stars Placed on Injured List
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- Former Minnesota Twins Stars Placed on Injured List
Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images
When the Minnesota Twins tore apart their roster at the 2025 MLB trade deadline , the bullpen was left in tatters.
This offseason, Tom Pohlad and his GM Jeremy Zoll did little to relieve their lost reliever talent, which came back to bite Minnesota on Saturday afternoon . After starter Taj Bradley handed over a 4-2 lead, the bullpen gave up three runs in three innings and the Twins lost 5-4 .
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Phillies lose former Minnesota Twins closer Jhoan Duran
The biggest name and talent traded last summer was flamethrowing closer, Jhoan Duran, who saved 32 games in 2025, splitting them evenly between his time with the Twins (16) and Phillies (16).
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Duran started this season hot too, recording five saves in six game sto start the season. For context, the Twins have five saves on the season, from five different pitchers. However, Duran has missed Philly’s last six games with an injury ( last pitched on April 11 ).
And unfortunately, it’s not healing as quickly as he or the team had hoped. On Saturday, the All-Star closer was placed on the injured list with an oblique strain.
Jhoan Duran to the injured list, Felix Reyes called up, and more from the #Phillies . pic.twitter.com/NT21pJOaLY
— Scott Lauber (@ScottLauber) April 18, 2026
In his last outing, Minnesota-turned-Philadelphia flamethrower picked up a flawless save against the Arizona Diamondbacks , striking out one.
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On the season, so far, Duran owns a 1.35 ERA (0.76 FIP) across 6 2/3 innings. He carries and 8/0 K/BB. After sitting at a career-low 100.5 mph last season , the 28-year-old is averaging just 99.8 mph this year.
Of note, Duran has drastically changed his pitch mix too. After throwing his fastball around 40% of the time previously, he’s using it just 19.8% of the time this year. He’s exchanged his four-seamer and splitter (7.3%) for a new sinker that he is mixing in 52.1% of the time.
Oblique injuries can be difficult to overcome depending on the severity. Philadelphia is definitely hoping that they get their closer back sooner rather than later, however.
Old MN Twins infielder also hits the shelf
Duran isn’t the only prominent former Minnesota Twin to be dealing with an early-season injury. After opting against paying Pete Alonso to remain in New York, the Mets signed Jorge Polanco to a two-year deal for $40 million with the idea that he’d play first base.
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It hasn’t worked out early on, mostly due to his inability to stay healthy. He too is now on the injured list.
We have made the following roster moves. pic.twitter.com/ygwf8phgFB
— New York Mets (@Mets) April 18, 2026
Beyond just the wrist contusion, Polanco has also been dealing with achilles tendinitis . While he has played in 14 games for the Mets, Polanco has started just twice at first base because of his foot malady. He is also hitting a horrendous .179/.246/.286 with three doubles and a home run.
Part of the MN Twins moving Polanco to the Seattle Mariners three seasons ago was regarding injury concerns to his lower body. He missed time there, and now with a tough start for the Mets, looks like Minnesota may have known a thing or two.
The Twins head to Citi Field for a three-game series against New York on Tuesday this week. They just won’t face Polanco while in the Big Apple.
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