When is a hug just a hug and not a hug when you’re traded? An embrace between Minnesota Twins reliever
When is a hug just a hug and not a hug when you’re traded? An embrace between Minnesota Twins reliever Jhoan Duran and bullpen catcher Frank Nigro caused quite a stir Tuesday night as Duran’s name has been bandied about in trade talks ahead of the July 31 deadline.
Jhoan Duran was seen on the broadcast getting a hug and leaving the bullpen 👀 pic.twitter.com/nFw7DH4DAZ
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) July 30, 2025
After cameras caught Duran and Nigro hugging and the reliever seemingly leaving the bullpen, social media immediately went into #HugWatch mode as fans of playoff contenders were hoping the right-handed pitcher would be coming their way.
Please Dave https://t.co/ficnR1dIvb
— The Good Phight (@TheGoodPhight) July 30, 2025
Jhoan Duran grabbed his glove from the bullpen, grabbed his stuff, and left, per Twins radio.
— The Yankee Report (@YankeeReport_) July 30, 2025
👀
Jhoan Duran is on hug watch in the Twins bullpen. pic.twitter.com/p4MBsnyxmw
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) July 30, 2025
JHOAN DURAN HUG WATCH?? pic.twitter.com/DjuGs0FvW5
— SleeperMets (@SleeperMets) July 30, 2025
However, as ESPN’s Jeff Passan points out, it was just a hug between friends.
“Jhoan Duran has not been traded. He was just hugging his bullpen catcher because that’s what friends do sometimes,” Passan posted on X.
Jhoan Duran has not been traded. He was just hugging his bullpen catcher because that's what friends do sometimes.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 30, 2025
In fact, The Athletic’s Twins writer Dan Hayes said that Duran hugged Nigro like he always does.
Said one person with the #MNTwins: "I think (Jhoan Duran) hugged Frank – like he always does."
— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) July 30, 2025
With the Twins in sell mode, Duran has been a popular name circulating in trade talks. The 27-year-old, whose fastball velocity leads all of baseball at 100.2 mph, has a 2.01 ERA in 49 appearances with 16 saves and 53 strikeouts in 49 1/3 innings. He is also under control through 2027, so if Minnesota ends up moving him, they would get a significant return.
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Category: General Sports
