Manager Rob Thompson relinquishes his number to newly appointed closer Jhoan Duran for the Philadelphia Phillies.
Jhoan Durán, a highly-touted relief pitcher, joined the Philadelphia Phillies in July 2025 following a trade from the Minnesota Twins. Known for his powerful fastball and diverse pitch arsenal, Durán has quickly established himself as one of the top closers in Major League Baseball[1][3].
Upon joining the Phillies, Durán was granted permission by manager Rob Thomson to wear Thomson's former jersey number, No. 59. Thomson, who has led the team to three consecutive playoff appearances, previously held the number[4][7]. Durán's wife expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to wear the iconic number, which Durán has donned since his call-up to the big leagues in 2022[2].
During his debut with the Phillies, Durán recorded his first save in a 5-4 victory against the Tigers. He pitched a scoreless ninth inning on just four pitches, lowering his season ERA to 1.97[5][6]. This marked Durán's 17th save of the season, a testament to his consistent performance on the mound[8].
While Thomson jokingly mentioned that his wife would have to buy new merchandise due to the number change, the number conflict between the two did not seem to be a significant issue[9]. In fact, the Phillies traded prospects Eduardo Tait and Mick Abel to acquire Durán from the Twins[10].
The Phillies' acquisition of Durán comes at an opportune time, as the team's only playoff appearance prior to Thomson's tenure was in 2011[11]. With Durán's addition to the roster, the team hopes to continue their recent streak of playoff appearances and potentially contend for the World Series.
In conclusion, Jhoan Durán has made an immediate impact on the Philadelphia Phillies since his arrival. His acquisition from the Minnesota Twins has been met with enthusiasm, and his debut performance was a promising sign for the team's future. Despite the number change, there appears to be no issue between Durán and manager Rob Thomson, as Durán expressed gratitude towards Thomson for allowing him to wear No. 59.
Jhoan Durán, now with the Philadelphia Phillies, has been given the distinctive honor to wear manager Rob Thomson's former jersey number, No. 59, which Durán has donned since his call-up to the big leagues. In Major League Baseball, Durán's impressive pitching skills have earned him a reputation as one of the top closers, competing alongside other baseball professionals in the league.
