When Anthony Returns, Duran Needs to Still Play Most Days

The Boston Red Sox have finally strung together some games. They are coming off a much needed sweep against the Kansas City Royals, which ironically plays very similar to the way that they do. If they can win Friday Night, that’ll be the longest win streak of the season. No pressure. In the midst of this month of May, alot of things have gone right and it’s been a delight to watch.

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The pitching has been stellar overall. The Red Sox now rank second overall in the entire league in bullpen ERA, trailing only the Texas Rangers. This month, the Red Sox rank SECOND in all of baseball in team ERA, and the rotation sits at an impressive third best in the league. Remind you, they are doing this without Garrett Crochet, who hasn’t pitched since the end of April. As great as the pitching has been, it gets overshadowed heavily by the lack of offense. There have been constants in this lineup, such as Willson Contreras, Ceddanne Rafaela, and Wilyer Abreu. When it comes to the underperforming side, that’s where the true conversation begins. Trevor Story is likely to have surgery. Caleb Durbin has been surpassed by our beloved Nick Sogard (shoutout to Ed Hand, the true believer). Then there is Jarren Duran, who really turns it on in the Royals series and truly since Roman Anthony went down with an injury. And when Anthony does return, Duran still needs to play everyday.

The only reason the can is being kicked further down the road is because Anthony is hurt. Rolling five outfielders in a never ending merry go round has been exhausting for fans, but even for players who should be on the field everyday. The saying remains true that these baseball players are creatures of habit and that routine is everything. Going into every single day not knowing how to prepare or know if you are playing has to be tough. You can make a case that has been hard on Duran as a whole.

Overall, Duran has had a tough go offensively this season. He’s slashing .195/.266/.362 with a 628 OPS and 72 wRC+. Those are very lackluster numbers and for a guy who was performing like an MVP in 2024 and also was a 4 win player in 2025. You may think I am crazy for saying he needs to play everyday, but since Anthony has gone down, Duran has been hitting much better.

Since May 4, Duran is slashing .213/.300/.459 with a .759 OPS. His wRC+ in this span is 105, so getting slightly above league average hitting is perfect for what this Red Sox team needs. Duran has the highest walk rates (10%) and has used his speed to swipe bags and put himself in prime scoring position. Among the hitters on this team, he is tied for the most home runs in this span (3), with the latest damage coming in the Royals series. Fans will say, as Trevor Story goes, the Red Sox go. But really is Duran.

Duran is coming off a monstrous series, going 4-10, with two home runs, a triple, drove in six runs, and walked four times. His 1.833 OPS led the team as well as his .562 OBP. The bat is starting to come around and if I am a betting man a lot of that has to do with the consistency of playing time. Oh, and the defense has been there, which should be talked about more than it currently is.

Duran made numerous great catches in left field this series, which was great to see and even among left fielders across baseball, he is one of the best. Duran is tied for fifth among qualified left fielders in defensive runs saved (3), and is tied for second in outs above average (2). He has been far better in left than in center, which is ideal anyways given who patrols the center of the diamond.

At the end of the day, the job of Chad Tracy is to put the best lineup together and the best product that can deliver wins. He’s done a great job and in what’s been the toughest of circumstances. This ongoing topic of which outfielder to trade will occur until it’s finally done. For the time being and when Anthony does return to the diamond, you play Duran almost everyday or as much as possible. Even if that’s as the designated hitter, which he’s hit .300 when placed in that slot for the lineup. Because consistency seems to have been the key to unlocking his bat and for a team that’s had trouble scoring runs all season long, this is the guy that can spark the charge and help turn things around.