The Boston Red Sox are taking disciplinary measures against outfielder Jarren Duran following his use of a homophobic slur directed at a fan during a game on Sunday.
On Monday evening, the team announced that Duran would face a two-game suspension without pay, which took immediate effect for Monday’s game against the Texas Rangers and will carry over to Tuesday’s matchup at Fenway Park.
In addition to the suspension, the team has pledged to donate Duran’s salary for the two games to the Federation of Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, a nonprofit organization that supports the LGBTQ community.
Prior to the suspension announcement, Duran issued a public apology through the team concerning his behavior.
The incident occurred during the sixth inning of the game against the Houston Astros at Fenway Park when a fan shouted at Duran, “you need a tennis racket.” Duran responded by yelling “shut up,” followed by an expletive and a homophobic slur aimed at the fan.
Following the game, Duran expressed remorse for his actions, stating, “I feel awful knowing how many people I offended and disappointed.” He apologized to the entire Red Sox organization as well as the LGBTQ community, acknowledging his role as a model for younger fans and recognizing he had failed in that responsibility.
When speaking to the media on Monday, Duran noted that there was “no intent behind the word that was used” and attributed his outburst to the heat of the moment. He promised to work on improving himself for the fans he let down.
The Red Sox released a statement supporting Duran’s apology, reinforcing their commitment to inclusivity and the importance of creating a welcoming environment for all fans at Fenway Park.
Manager Alex Cora also weighed in after the announcement of Duran’s suspension, emphasizing the team’s ongoing efforts to educate players about inclusion. He acknowledged the incident as a mistake but expressed confidence that Duran would learn from it, stating, “It was obviously a bad moment. He’s learned from it. We’re learning from the situation and we’re going to be better.”
Jarren Duran, a 27-year-old from Corona, California, has been an outfielder for the Boston Red Sox since 2021, having previously played in the minor leagues for teams such as the Worcester Red Sox and Portland Sea Dogs. Earlier this year, he was named MVP of the 2024 MLB All-Star Game after hitting a two-run home run for the American League team.