Duran throws triple-digit heat, close to return from IL

MIAMI -- Phillies closer Jhoan Duran touched 100 mph in Saturday’s bullpen session at loanDepot park.

Duran has not pitched for the Phillies since April 11 because of a strained left oblique, but he is close to rejoining the team. The Phillies only need to decide if he needs a rehab appearance or not.

Both Phillies interim manager Don Mattingly and Duran seem to be leaning toward him returning without one.

“Could you hit him at 100? I don’t know," Mattingly said Sunday morning at loanDepot park. “It’s something we’ll talk about.”

“I don’t think I need to,” Duran said.

But, Duran said, he will go if asked.

Duran was 1-1 with a 1.35 ERA and five saves in seven appearances before the injury. The Phillies’ bullpen has a 4.75 ERA since he last pitched. Not surprisingly, perhaps, the Phillies have had only one ninth-inning save opportunity since April 11. Brad Keller allowed a run in the ninth inning on Friday night against Miami, but he earned the save.