When does a hug signify more than just a friendly gesture? A recent embrace between Minnesota Twins reliever Jhoan Duran and bullpen catcher Frank Nigro sparked significant discussion on Tuesday night, especially with Duran’s name frequently mentioned in trade rumors leading up to the July 31 deadline.
During the broadcast, viewers noticed Duran sharing a hug with Nigro before seemingly departing the bullpen, prompting social media to enter full #HugWatch mode. Fans from various playoff contenders began speculating that the right-handed pitcher might be on the move.
Comments and tweets began to pour in, with speculation running rampant about Duran’s status. Reports indicated that he retrieved his glove and left the bullpen, intensifying the chatter.
However, as ESPN’s Jeff Passan clarified, the embrace was merely a friendly interaction. “Jhoan Duran has not been traded. He was just hugging his bullpen catcher because that’s what friends do sometimes,” he advised on X.
The Athletic’s Twins writer, Dan Hayes, echoed this sentiment, noting that Duran’s gesture was not unusual. A source connected to the Twins commented, “I think (Jhoan Duran) hugged Frank – like he always does.”
As the Twins consider their options, Duran has emerged as a high-profile name in trade discussions. The 27-year-old boasts an impressive fastball velocity of 100.2 mph, a 2.01 ERA across 49 appearances, and 16 saves, along with 53 strikeouts in just over 49 innings. With team control extending through 2027, any potential move involving him would likely yield substantial returns for Minnesota.
Image Source: Jhoan Duran @ Instagram
