Matt

Strahm

Strahm returns home to the organization that drafted him in the 21st round back in 2012. The 34-year-old hurler debuted with the Royals in 2016 before traveling around the league. While he has some experience in the ninth inning, it’s likely that he’ll settle into his traditional setup role with the Royals.

Mark Feinsand of MLB.com adds that Jonathan Bowlan will be heading to the Phillies in the trade. It’s a terrific get for the Royals though, as Strahm has developed into one of the most reliable left-handed setup men in all of baseball. The 34-year-old southpaw registered a 2.74 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and a 70/20 K/BB ratio over 62 1/3 innings while snagging six saves during the 2025 campaign.

Strahm, 34, was again plenty effective in posting a 2.74 ERA in 62 1/3 innings for the Phillies last season, but his velocity and his strikeout rate were both down from 2024 and he’s become one of the league’s most extreme flyball pitchers. He’ll make $7.5 million next season in the final year of his deal.

Strahm’s option guarantee went into effect when he hit the 60-inning mark this month, but he still needed to pass the physical. Even if the Phillies had some questions about that, they’d probably welcome him back at $7.5 million. He has a 2.74 this season, and he’s posted a 2.71 ERA in 212 2/3 innings since joining the team three years ago.

Strahm just needs to pass a postseason physical as the final step before the option goes into effect, but that feels like a given. He has been a tremendous asset in the Phillies bullpen, and will continue to be next year as well.

Duran avoided serious injury after a scary incident during Friday’s series opener against the Nationals when he had to be carted off the field after being struck in the right foot by a line drive. The Phillies might opt to give the hard-throwing 27-year-old closer a couple days off to rest and recover, but it appears he’ll avoid a trip to the injured list after X-rays came back negative for any fractures. It would be some combination of Orion Kerkering, Matt Strahm and David Robertson handling the closing duties if he’s unavailable this weekend.

It’s certainly an encouraging update after Duran had to be carted off the field after being drilled by a line drive during Friday’s appearance against the Nationals. It doesn’t necessarily mean that he’s out of the woods yet though as initial X-rays often don’t tell the entire story. He’ll head for additional testing. Look for the Phillies to update his status again before Saturday’s ballgame. Orion Kerkering and Matt Strahm would be next up if Duran winds up hitting the injured list. Veteran reliever David Robertson is the wild card here given his extensive closing experience.

The trade is now official. Duran takes over as Philadelphia’s closer after converting 16 of 18 save opportunities to accompany a sparkling 2.01 ERA and 53/18 K/BB ratio across 49 1/3 innings (49 appearances) for the Twins this season. The flame-throwing 27-year-old, who remains under club control through 2027, fills a critical late-inning void left by former closer José Alvarado, who was handed an 80-game PED suspension in mid-May and is ineligible for the postseason. Duran’s arrival gives the Phillies a dominant ninth-inning presence as they prepare for a potential deep postseason run. Orion Kerkering and Matt Strahm will bump down to pure setup men, making them droppable in mixed leagues.

Orion Kerkering came on with one out in the eighth inning and worked through some trouble before escaping with the lead intact. Strahm then took over in the ninth and made things interesting as well, issuing a leadoff walk to Jake Cronenworth who was then sacrificed to second base. Strahm got Elias Diaz to pop out foul to third base for the second out. He walked Fernando Tatis Jr. intentionally, then retired Luis Arraez on a fly ball to left field to end it. The 33-year-old southpaw finishes the first half with a 3.29 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and a 44/12 K/BB ratio over 38 1/3 innings to go with six saves and a victory.

The lead was one too many runs for a save, but it’s notable that the Phillies again lined up Orion Kerkering for the eighth and Strahm for the ninth tonight. Since Kerkering’s last save on June 19, he’s pitched the eighth in all four of his appearances. Strahm has pitched the ninth four times, plus one appearance in the eighth, and earned two saves.