CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Phillies closer Jhoan Duran didn’t want to talk about it.
But it’s real. He threw it.
He threw a couple split-changeups in Wednesday’s 5-3 loss to Team Canada at BayCare Ballpark, including a called third strike to Tyler O'Neill to end the fourth inning. It’s a pitch Duran hasn’t thrown in at least five years, but it’s a pitch he said he might bring into the regular season.
Or not.
“I don’t know if I’ll throw it,” he said.
Asked how a split-change might help, Duran said, “I can’t tell you. Sorry.”
So, is this a secret pitch?
“Yes,” he said.
Basically, it could be just another pitch for opposing hitters to consider … besides his 100 mph fastballs, splinker and curveball.
Duran’s four-seam fastball averaged 97.7 mph in Wednesday’s spring debut, down 2.9 mph from last season’s average (100.6 mph). His splinker averaged 95 mph, down 2.8 mph from last season’s average (97.8 mph).
“No concerns,” Phillies manager Rob Thomson said after Duran tossed one scoreless inning with a strikeout.
Duran started similarly in his first appearance last spring with the Twins on Feb. 22, 2025. His fastball was down 2.1 mph. His splinker was down 1.4 mph.
“Maybe in my first year in the Minor Leagues, I was fighting for a job, I came in ready for the season,” he said about Wednesday’s velo. “That’s when I threw 100, 101. … But after that, I come into Spring Training to be healthy and be ready for the season. If the velo is there, good. If it’s not, good. If I feel healthy, great. That’s what I want. I know the velo is coming in the season.”
Duran said his elbow and shoulder feel great.
“Everything is great right now,” he said. “Today is my first outing. I feel fantastic. It’s good.”
Duran said he got a late start this spring because he was sick for three weeks in the offseason. Thomson said Duran was sick early in camp, too.
“I lost a couple days in my training, and I wanted to take time in my training,” Duran said. “I don’t want to do my routine too quickly and have any injury or something. I want to take my time and be ready for the season.
“But I’m good. I’m back.”