Major League Baseball considering all options regarding Jarren Duran incident (report)
Major League Baseball is reportedly “considering its options” regarding the incident involving Jarren Duran during Sunday’s 10-2 loss to the Astros at Fenway Park, according to The Boston Globe’s Pete Abraham.
According to the report, the league is expected to render a decision on whether or not to fine/suspend or potentially both regarding Duran, following the use of a homophobic slur in the sixth inning on Sunday.
During Duran’s at-bat, NESN’s mic picked up a fan yelling, “Tennis racket, tennis racket. You need a tennis racket.” Duran stepped back and shouted, “Shut up,” and then used a homophobic slur.
The Red Sox and Duran both issued an apology and statement regarding the incident. The organization also said they addressed the incident with Duran but offered nothing else.
The exchange with the fan also comes after Duran was honored during a pregame ceremony as the team’s recipient of the Heart and Hustle Award, which recognizes one player per team who “demonstrates a passion for the game and best embodies its values, spirit, and traditions.”
In addition, Duran was named the American League All-Star MVP less than a month ago.
The club did not announce whether they’d discipline Duran for the use of the slur. Players have been disciplined in the past for the use of slurs while playing during the game.
Most recently, the league fined former Astros reliever Hector Neris after Mariners players alleged he used a slur directed toward superstar Julio Rodríguez. MLB suspended former Red Sox outfielder Kevin Pillar in 2017 for using an anti-gay slur directed towards a Braves pitcher during a game in Atlanta. In 2012, Blue Jays infielder Yunel Escobar was suspended three games for wearing eye black with slurs written in Spanish.
This is not Duran’s first run in with fans; he exchanged pleasantries with people in the crowd during a series in Kansas City back in 2022.
If Duran is suspended, it will end his quest of playing in all 162 games this season. Duran has played in 116b games and is aiming to be the first Boston player to play the entire season since Bill Buckner in 1985.
