Speedy Red Sox outfielder's ankle ‘little bit tight’ but expected to play Thursday
Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran left Tuesday afternoon’s game after dealing with left ankle soreness. Duran was seen stretching out his ankle during his at-bat in the third inning against the Rays. Following striking out in the at-bat, Duran was removed from the game as a precautionary measure.
“His ankle is a little bit tight but that’s it. He’ll play on Thursday,” Alex Cora said to MLB.com’s Ian Browne following the game.
Duran went 0-for-2 with a walk and a strikeout in the game. He is 1-for-6 through three Grapefruit League games.
The 27-year-old underwent successful great toe flexor tendon repair surgery last season. Duran had been dealing with a bad case of turf toe from trying to scale the wall at Yankee Stadium on Aug. 20, trying to rob a home run.
Duran batted .295 with a .346 on-base percentage, .482 slugging percentage, .828 OPS, eight homers, 34 doubles, two triples, 46 runs and 40 RBIs in 102 games. He also was 24-for-26 in stolen base attempts.
Duran is one of the candidates to win the center field job out of spring training. He is also competing with exciting prospect Ceddanne Rafaela who is enjoying a strong spring. He is hitting .278 with one homer, two RBI, two stolen bases and owns a .909 OPS.
