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Boston Red Sox suspend outfielder Jarren Duran for two games after using homophobic slur against fan

Barkley-Truaxby:Barkley Truax•08/12/24•

BarkleyTruax

Red Sox OF Jarren Duran
Jerome Miron | USA TODAY Sports

Jarren Duran was suspended for two games by the MLB and Boston Red Sox, the team announced. This comes after the outfielder was heard using a homophobic slur against a fan during Sunday’s game against the Houston Astros.

The Red Sox has issued an official team statement following the incident, notifying the public of additional sactions coming his way due to his choice of words.

“In consultation with Major League Baseball, the Red Sox today issued an unpaid two-game suspension to outfielder Jarren Duran beginning with tonight’s game against the Texas Rangers at Fenway Park,” the statement read.

“Additionally, Duran’s salary from the two-game suspension will be donated to PFLAG (Federation of Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays), the United States’ largest organization dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people and those who love them.”

Duran, who is statistically in the midst of the most productive season of his career, has since apologized to the fan for the incident. He said that he feels awful knowing how many people that he offended and disappointed with his actions.

“I apologize to the entire Red Sox organization,” Duran said. “But more importantly to the entire LGBTQ community. Our young fans are supposed to be able to look up to me as a role model, but tonight I fell far short of that responsibility. I will use this opportunity to educate myself and my teammates and to grow as a person.”

Duran is in his fourth season with the Red Sox in the MLB. The team drafted him in the seventh round of the 2018 MLB Draft out of California State University.

The 28-year-old outfielder will miss Boston’s upcoming games against the Texas Rangers on Monday and Tuesday, but will return for the series finale on Wednesday. He’s currently the team’s leader in at-bats (491), runs (80), hits (143), doubles (26) and triples (13) this season on a .291 batting average.

Boston currently sits in third place the AL East, 7.5 games back behind the Baltimore Orioles and New York Yankees. They’re also three games back from the AL wild card, meaning there’s a lot for the Red Sox to play for during the final six weeks of the regular season.

The Red Sox will play the Rangers in their series opener on ESPN. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET live from Fenway Park. Boston is the betting favorites (-125).