Trade Idea Moves Twins’ Jhoan Duran to Dodgers originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Los Angeles Dodgers‘ pitching injuries are not just limited to their starting rotation. They have affected the team’s bullpen, too.
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The Dodgers experienced their most recent setback after learning that reliever Evan Phillips will be out for the remainder of the season. Phillips, who had been on the team’s injured list since early May after just seven appearances in 2025, will undergo Tommy John surgery on his right elbow.
Acquiring former Cincinnati Reds closer Alexis Diaz in a trade and having him work on his mechanics in the Minor Leagues will help in this regard, but Diaz’s 12.00 ERA in six relief outings with the Reds this season show he may not be the best fit for high-leverage situations.
Enter the trade market. ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan project that the Dodgers are in prime position to add to their arsenal of arms, both in the rotation and in relief, ahead of the trade deadline.
Minnesota Twins closer Jhoan Duran could be among the relievers available to the Dodgers (and other teams looking for bullpen help, such as the Arizona Diamondbacks, Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies and Texas Rangers), if the Twins decide to sell. McDaniel and Passan believe there is a 40% chance Duran will be on the move this season.
Minnesota Twins pitcher Jhoan Duran (59) delivers a pitch against the New York Mets during the ninth inning at Target Field.Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
“Duran is one of the best relievers in the sport, thanks to his nasty stuff headlined by a fastball that averages 100.2 mph and a splinker that sits at 97.5 mph,” McDaniel and Passan wrote. “He has two more years of team control after this season, so he’d demand a big trade package.
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Duran has spent the entirety of his major-league career with the Twins, making 210 appearances out of the club’s bullpen since his rookie year in 2022. Since then, he has pitched to a 15-21 record, 2.43 ERA and 1.09 WHIP, while accumulating 68 saves and 278 strikeouts to 69 walks across 218.2 innings pitched.
2025 is turning out to be one of Duran’s strongest MLB seasons. He is on track to have a career-best 1.51 ERA, in addition to logging a 4-2 record, 1.11 WHIP, 10 saves and 39 strikeouts in 34.1 innings pitched thus far.
Related: Trade Idea Sends New Ace to Dodgers
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 25, 2025, where it first appeared.