Phillies Bolster Bullpen Depth with Minor League Signing of Former Rays Reliever Jhoan Duran
PHILADELPHIA — In a low-key move aimed at adding experienced relief depth, the Philadelphia Phillies have signed right-hander **Jhoan Duran**, formerly of the Tampa Bay Rays, to a minor league contract with an invitation to major league spring training, sources confirmed on Thursday.
The deal includes performance incentives and represents a potential reclamation project for the 27-year-old flamethrower, who has battled injuries and inconsistency in recent seasons but possesses one of the most electric arms in baseball when healthy.
Duran, known for his triple-digit fastball and devastating “splinker” (a hybrid splitter-sinker), spent parts of the last two seasons with the Rays after being acquired in a midseason trade. However, his time in Tampa Bay was marred by elbow issues that limited him to just 25 appearances in 2025, where he posted a 4.12 ERA over 28 innings with 32 strikeouts but also 15 walks.
The signing comes as the Phillies continue to fine-tune their bullpen for the 2026 season. With star closer **Jhoan Duran** — acquired from the Minnesota Twins at the 2025 trade deadline — firmly entrenched as the ninth-inning anchor, the team is seeking high-upside arms to fill setup and middle-relief roles.
Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski has made no secret of his desire to build layers of depth behind the current closer, especially after the bullpen’s inconsistencies contributed to the team’s early playoff exit last October.
“We’re always looking for pitchers who can miss bats and throw hard,” Dombrowski said in a recent interview. “This is a minor league deal, but it’s a chance for a talented arm to compete for a spot.”
The ex-Rays Duran (no relation to the Phillies’ All-MLB closer of the same name) burst onto the scene as a prospect in the Rays system, showcasing a fastball that routinely touched 102 mph and a curveball that buckled knees. Signed out of the Dominican Republic as an international free agent, he climbed the minor league ranks quickly before injuries derailed his momentum.
In limited major league action from 2023-2025, Duran has compiled a career 3.89 ERA with 112 strikeouts in 98 innings, but control issues and a stint on the injured list with forearm tightness have prevented him from sticking in a big-league bullpen full-time.
For the Phillies, this signing fits a familiar pattern under Dombrowski: targeting former high-pedigree pitchers on minor league pacts who could provide value if they regain form. Recent successes include veteran additions like David Robertson, who stabilized the pen midseason in 2025.
If the new Duran impresses in spring training, he could slot into a middle-relief role alongside holdovers like Matt Strahm, Orion Kerkering, and potential free-agent additions. The team has been linked to ex-Rays closer Pete Fairbanks in free agency, with reports suggesting interest in pairing him as a setup man in front of the established closer.
The bullpen’s performance will be crucial for Philadelphia in 2026, as the rotation — led by Zack Wheeler, Jesús Luzardo, and Cristopher Sánchez — remains one of the National League’s strongest. After re-signing slugger Kyle Schwarber to a five-year, $150 million extension earlier this offseason, the Phillies have shifted focus to pitching depth while monitoring the market for outfield and inf20 additions.
Duran’s arrival adds intrigue to what promises to be a competitive spring camp. His velocity and stuff, when right, are undeniable, and a fresh start in a contender’s environment could unlock the potential that once made him a coveted prospect.
The minor league deal carries little risk for the Phillies, who are positioned as luxury-tax payers but have flexibility after avoiding major spending sprees so far this winter.
As the offseason progresses, more moves are expected, but this signing underscores Philadelphia’s commitment to leaving no stone unturned in building a championship-caliber relief corps.