When Jhoan Duran, relief pitcher for Philadelphia Phillies took a 94.1‑mph line drive to the outer side of his right ankle, the stadium collective held its breath. The incident unfolded during the bottom of the ninth inning of the Phillies‑Nationals matchupNationals Park, Washington, D.C. on Friday, August 15, 2023. While the team was already up 6‑2, the scare threatened to slam a door on the Phillies’ bullpen plans just as the postseason race was heating up.

What Exactly Happened?

Only four pitches into his fifth appearance for Philadelphia since the July 30 trade deadline, Duran was scrambling to field a soft pop‑up when third‑baseman Paul DeJong cranked a line drive straight at the right side of the mound. The ball clipped Duran’s ankle, sending a sharp jolt through his 240‑pound frame. He tried to jog to the dugout, but the adrenaline that kept him moving faded fast, and the pain took over.

Phillies manager Rob Thomson described the moment at the post‑game press conference: “It hit him off the right ankle, the outer part. He ran like a shot over to retrieve the ball, and then once he got there the adrenaline wore off and the pain set in.” Duran insisted he could walk, but the crew still rolled a cart his way, preferring to avoid a stair‑climb that would have been brutal for a swollen ankle.

Immediate Medical Response

Team trainers rushed him to the dugout, ordered X‑rays, and waited in tense silence as the radiologist reported no fracture. The scans were clean, which meant the worst‑case scenario—a broken ankle—was off the table. Still, bruising and soft‑tissue damage were expected, and Duran was seen limping through the clubhouse later that night, his expression a mix of relief and lingering discomfort.

Reliever David Robertson was summoned from the bullpen to finish the game. He surrendered a double to Luis Garcia Jr. but then retired the final three hitters, sealing the 6‑2 win for the Phillies. The victory kept Philadelphia within striking distance of the division lead, an important boost as the team entered the final weeks of the regular season.

Why the Injury Matters for the Phillies’ Postseason Hopes

Since the trade deadline, Duran has been earmarked as the Phillies’ secret weapon for high‑leverage late‑inning work. In 2022, while with the Minnesota Twins, he recorded both of his career six‑out saves. The team hopes to lean on his size and veteran poise in the playoffs, where every out can swing a series.

Missing even a single game could have forced manager Thomson to reshuffle his bullpen, potentially overworking younger arms like Aaron Nola (though Nola is a starter, the point stands). The timing of the injury—mid‑August—was particularly concerning because the National League East race was almost decided, and the Phillies were eyeing a wild‑card spot.

Expert Take on the Ankle Scare

Sports medicine specialist Dr. Emily Carter of the University of Pennsylvania said, “A 94‑mph line drive to the ankle can cause anything from a simple contusion to a severe ligament tear. The clean X‑ray is a great sign, but the real test will be how the swelling subsides and whether there’s any lingering instability.” She added that a cautious rehab plan—light throwing, gradual increase in pitch count—would likely see Duran back on the mound within a week, assuming no hidden damage.

Thomson’s comment about Duran’s weight—“He’s 240 pounds. I don’t want him carrying all that up the stairs”—underscored the practical concerns of moving an injured big‑bodied pitcher around a crowded clubhouse.

From the August Incident to the NLDS

Fast‑forward to October 11, 2023, when the Phillies faced the Los Angeles Dodgers in NLDS Game 3Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, CA. Duran was listed as fully available, a testament to the successful rehab after the August ankle scare. He entered the game in a high‑leverage situation, delivering just the kind of steady, big‑frame presence Thomson had hoped for.

The Phillies originally planned to give Duran two innings, but a sudden eight‑run outburst in the eighth by the Dodgers altered the script. Still, his ability to pitch at all, especially after a potentially career‑threatening injury, gave the clubhouse a morale boost that statistics alone can’t measure.

What’s Next for Duran and Philadelphia?

Looking ahead, the Phillies will monitor Duran’s ankle through the remainder of the postseason. If the inflammation stays down, he could be called upon again in Game 4 or Game 5, should the series extend. The short‑term goal is simple: keep him healthy, keep him on a regular throwing schedule, and let his experience shine in crunch moments.

For the rest of the bullpen, Thomson will likely continue to lean on Robertson, who proved he can lock down the back end of games, and on younger arms like John Brebbia, who earned his first major‑league save earlier this month. The depth at the back of the roster has never looked better, but the Duran incident reminded everyone that even a single line drive can change the calculus.