The Philadelphia Phillies are on the verge of getting a major boost to their bullpen. After a brief but concerning absence, star closer Jhoan Duran is expected to return to the mound as early as Tuesday, according to manager Don Mattingly.

Duran was placed on the injured list on April 18 with a left oblique strain, a type of injury that can sometimes sideline players for months. However, the Phillies remained optimistic that this would be a short-term setback, and that confidence appears to be paying off.

Mattingly shared an encouraging update ahead of Monday's game in Miami, revealing that Duran had been cleared to be active. The reason for the one-day delay? A high-intensity bullpen session on Saturday where the flamethrower touched 100 mph. "Anytime you have an inning like that with that kind of intensity, you give him two days," Mattingly explained, noting that the team's pitching staff wanted to ensure Duran had proper recovery time.

Barring any unexpected setbacks, the plan is to have Duran back in the Phillies' bullpen for Tuesday's game. This is a welcome development for a relief corps that has struggled in his absence. While the team has managed to stay afloat, it's clear they've missed that lockdown presence in the ninth inning.

Before the injury, Duran was off to a dominant start in 2026. In seven appearances, he posted a sparkling 1.35 ERA and a 0.75 WHIP. His underlying numbers are equally impressive, featuring an average fastball velocity of 98.2 mph, a strikeout rate of 33.3 percent, and a whiff rate of 36.5 percent. Those are the kinds of elite numbers that make a closer not just effective, but electric.

For Phillies fans, seeing Duran back on the bump in pinstripes will be a welcome sight. A healthy Duran not only stabilizes the bullpen but also brings an undeniable swagger to the late innings. Now, the question is whether he can pick up right where he left off—and help the Phillies lock down those critical late-game leads.