CHICAGO (AP) — The Minnesota Twins reinstated closer Jhoan Duran from the 15-day injured list on Tuesday, after a strained right oblique muscle kept him out of the team's first 28 games.
Duran was hurt while warming up for a live batting practice session in spring training on March 17. The right-hander made two appearances with Triple-A St. Paul last week on a rehabilitation assignment, allowing two runs on four hits with five strikeouts in two innings.
The 26-year-old Duran has a 2.15 ERA with 173 strikeouts in 130 innings over his first two major league seasons. He has 35 career saves.
Griffin Jax handled most of the ninth inning work in Duran's absence, though four different relievers have recorded saves this season for the Twins. Right-hander Matt Bowman was designated for assignment to make room on the 26-man roster for Duran.
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FILE - Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Jhoan Duran throws to the Texas Rangers in the ninth inning of a baseball game, Friday, Sept. 1, 2023, in Arlington, Texas. The Minnesota Twins reinstated closer Jhoan Duran from the 15-day injured list on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, after a strained right oblique muscle kept him out of the team's first 28 games.(AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez, File)
WASHINGTON (AP) — Byron Buxton hit two homer and drove in three runs, Joe Ryan pitched seven scoreless innings and the Minnesota Twins halted a seven-game losing streak with a 10-0 victory over the Washington Nationals on Tuesday night.
Jose Miranda added a two-run homer as the Twins scored eight runs off Nationals left-hander Patrick Corbin (1-5). Willi Castro added a two-run shot off reliever Jacob Barnes as Minnesota responded following a players-only meeting after Monday night's 12-3 loss in the series opener.
Overall, the Twins scored more runs in the game than in the first six games of their skid combined.
Corbin allowed nine hits and three walks, and all of his season-worst eight runs allowed were earned.
Jacob Young had two of Washington's three hits as the Nationals were shut out for the third time in seven games. The loss came a day after snapping their own five-game losing streak.
Buxton has had hits in all three of his starts in his return after missing 14 games due to right knee inflammation.
He opened Tuesday's scoring in the second when he took Corbin's 0-1 offering the opposite way for a solo shot. In the fifth, he drove a two-run homer, his third of the season, slightly closer to dead center to stretch Minnesota's advantage to 6-0.
That was more than enough support for Ryan (3-3), who allowed three hits and two walks in his first scoreless outing since June of last season.
Both free passes came in Ryan's final inning, marking just the second time a Nationals runner reached scoring position. He got out of the inning by fanning Joey Gallo for his sixth strikeout.
TRAINERS ROOM
Twins: 3B/SS Royce Lewis (right quad strain) ran the bases on Monday for the first time since going on the 10-day injured list in late March. ... RHP Josh Winder (scapular stress fracture) was slated continue his rehab assignment by throwing two-plus innings for Triple-A St. Paul on Tuesday and Friday. He's allowed eight runs — seven earned — in his first five rehab outings.
Nationals: OF Lane Thomas (left knee sprain) went 0 for 3 and stole a base in his first rehab game Tuesday for Double-A Harrisburg. He will play again on Wednesday.
UP NEXT
Nationals RHP Jake Irvin (2-4, 3.91 ERA), a Twin Cities area native and former Twins draft selection in high school, pitches for the first time against Minnesota, which sends rookie RHP Simeon Woods Richardson (1-0, 2.97 ERA).
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Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Joe Ryan throws to a Washington Nationals batter during the second inning of a baseball game Tuesday, May 21, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Minnesota Twins' Byron Buxton hits a home run against the Washington Nationals during the second inning of a baseball game Tuesday, May 21, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Minnesota Twins' Carlos Correa runs to third on his triple against the Washington Nationals during the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, May 21, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Minnesota Twins' Byron Buxton celebrates his home run against the Washington Nationals during the second inning of a baseball game Tuesday, May 21, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Washington Nationals starting pitcher Patrick Corbin throws to a Minnesota Twins batter during the fifth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, May 21, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Minnesota Twins' Byron Buxton celebrates his two-run home run against the Washington Nationals during the fifth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, May 21, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Joe Ryan throws to a Washington Nationals batter during the fifth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, May 21, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Minnesota Twins' Byron Buxton celebrates his two-run home run against the Washington Nationals during the fifth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, May 21, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
