The Philadelphia Phillies are on the verge of getting a major boost in their bullpen, as closer Jhoan Duran is reportedly set to return from the injured list. According to MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki, the team is “expected” to activate the hard-throwing right-hander for their three-game series against the Athletics, which begins Tuesday.

Duran has been sidelined since mid-April with a left oblique strain, leaving a noticeable gap in the Phillies' late-inning strategy. However, a recent bullpen session on Saturday offered a wave of optimism. During that session, Duran was hitting 100 miles per hour and reported no pain in his oblique—a clear sign that he’s ready to reclaim his role.

The only lingering question was whether Duran would need a minor league rehab assignment. That question has now been answered, and it appears he’s headed straight back to the big league mound.

The timing couldn’t be better for Philadelphia. In Duran’s absence, the Phillies’ bullpen has struggled, posting a 4.75 ERA. Right-hander Brad Keller, signed to a two-year, $22 million deal as the setup man, has been thrust into the closer role. While Keller has been effective in the eighth inning (2.35 ERA in nine appearances), his numbers in the ninth tell a different story—a 5.40 ERA in four save opportunities. His only save came on Friday, a tense outing where he allowed a leadoff walk to score.

Getting Duran back isn’t just about adding a dominant arm—it’s about restoring order to the bullpen. With Duran locking down the ninth, Keller can slide back into his natural setup role, which could be the key to turning his season around. For a team with playoff aspirations, this is exactly the kind of update every Phillies fan was hoping for.