Aug 1, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies closer Jhoan Duran takes the mound for the ninth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Citizens Bank Park. (Grace Del Pizzo/On Pattison)
Jhoan Duran's closer entrance would have been electric during the World Baseball Classic, but we'll have to wait until at least 2030 to see it during the sport's top international tournament.
Duran has declined to pitch in the World Baseball Classic for the Dominican Republic, citing the lack of long-term contractual security.
"Last season, I exceeded my innings and I need to take care of my arm," Duran said via translation, according to Wilber Sánchez. "I don't have a contract that secures my future."
Jhoan Durán le dice que no a la patria 🤔
“La temporada pasada me excedí de innings y necesito cuidar mi brazo. No tengo un contrato que asegure mi futuro”.
Mientras tanto:
⁰• Paul Skenes, Cy Young de la Liga Nacional, irá al WBC sin contrato garantizado.
• Tarik Skubal, Cy… pic.twitter.com/820XPQShoC
Things can get lost in translation, but from here, this seems like a reasonable explanation for declining to pitch in the WBC. Duran has two remaining seasons of arbitration eligibility, with MLB Trade Rumors projecting he'll make $7.6 million in 2026. That's really good money, but if he remains healthy for 2026 and 2027, he could be looking at a $100+ million contract in free agency. Throwing extra bullets in the World Baseball Classic at or above 100+ mph comes with risk, and while it's an honor to represent your country, the money that can be won via the prize pool is peanuts compared to what Duran could be looking at in a couple years.
At least there won't be a debate during the World Baseball Classic about whether or not Duran's entrance should be played if he comes in for a non-save situation.
The Phillies are doing the light show for Jhoan Duran down three runs, and there was definitely some booing when the lights went down.
It just waters it down to do it in a situation like this.
