If there has been an iron man for the Boston Red Sox, it has to be star Jarren Duran who has played in all of the team's 77 games so far this season. Red Sox manager Alex Cora spoke to the media before Saturday afternoon's game where he talked about giving Duran a rest to the result of an NSFW response from the outfielder.
Cora would reveal to the media that he called Duran to his office and told him that before Boston takes on the Cincinnati Reds Saturday, that he will get a day off. According to a video posted by the Red Sox's X (formerly known as Twitter) account, Cora said that Duran told him to “f*** off” in a joking manner.
“I joked with him last night. I called him into the office (after Friday’s game) and I say, ‘Hey, you’ve got an off day tomorrow,’” Cora said before the Red Sox look to bounce back Saturday against the Reds. “He’s like, f*** that.’ He knows it.”
Duran is the epitome of the Red Sox's future per Cora
What became of Duran's comments was that he was in the lineup for Saturday and is batting lead off as he is committed to helping Boston in anyway he can. So far this season, he has hit a .280 batting average, seven home runs, and 34 runs batted in (RBIs) as Cora talks about how “hard” he works to get better each and every day according to Christopher Smith of MassLive.com.
“You know what? He works so hard and he now understands what he needs to do to play every day, to keep his energy the way he should,” Cora said. “This is going to set up the organization for the future.”
Cora says Duran is the leader of the Red Sox
Duran has no doubt been a standout not just to the team in terms of his performance on the field, but also within the clubhouse judging by the words of Cora. The long-time Boston manager would say that Duran is a person that “people look up to” and is a leader that is “going to help everybody in the future.”
“As a group, we need somebody that people look up to. Who better than your leadoff guy that plays every day?” Cora said via MassLive.com. “And he’s been great in the clubhouse. He’s been open about his situation (with anxiety) the last few years. I’m trying to find a leader for this organization that’s going to help us not only this year but he’s going to help everybody in the future.”
“It’s pregame and postgame,” Cora continued. “He goes 4-for-4 and they sit down and they break down the at-bats. Did we execute the plan regardless of results? Same thing when he goes 0-for-4. Did we execute the plan? Sometimes the 0-for-4 doesn’t mean that he didn’t. It’s just that he got beat. He’s driving the ball now. He’s hitting the ball all over the place. The at-bats are really good. We’ll see in a month. That’s going to be fun I believe. That Sunday when they announce the All-Stars, it’s a special one. And if this happens, it’s going to be great.”
Cora on Duran playing every game for Boston
The 27-year old left fielder has been with the Red Sox for the past four seasons where last year he played in 102 games as he batted .295, eight home runs, and 40 RBIs. As it looks in 2024, he will exceed all of those categories with batting average being the one that could falter, but that is probable since he is likely to play in more games barring an injury.
“He’s such a strong kid,” Cora said. “He takes care of his body. The training staff, they haven’t even questioned the decision of playing him every day. They know. So we’ve just gotta adjust stuff pregame and in the cage and all that. But so far, so good.”
Before Saturday's game against the Reds, the Red Sox are 40-36 which puts them third in the AL East as their current series will finish Sunday afternoon.
Follow Us
Subscribe