Boston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran has been suspended for two games following an incident during Sunday’s matchup against the Houston Astros. The suspension comes after Duran directed an anti-gay slur at a fan.
The Red Sox announced the disciplinary action on Monday, stating that Duran will be sidelined for the upcoming game against the Texas Rangers. The suspension is effective immediately.
The team shared the news through their official Twitter account:
The #RedSox today issued a two-game suspension to Jarren Duran. pic.twitter.com/YlinXxOAWy
— Red Sox (@RedSox) August 12, 2024
In the aftermath of the incident, Duran issued a public apology.
“During the game, I used an inappropriate and offensive term in response to a fan,” Duran said. “I am deeply sorry for the pain and disappointment my words have caused. I apologize to the Red Sox organization and, most importantly, to the LGBTQ community. As a role model for younger fans, I fell short of my responsibilities, and I am committed to using this experience as a learning opportunity to better myself and educate others.”
The Red Sox also released a statement addressing the situation.
“We support Jarren’s apology and extend it to our fans, particularly the LGBTQ community,” the statement read. “Our goal is to create a welcoming environment at Fenway Park for everyone, and we will continue to focus on educating our players, staff, and organization about the importance of inclusivity.”
Mass Live’s Chris Cotillo reported that the incident was captured by the NESN broadcast. During his at-bat in the sixth inning, Duran responded to some fan heckling with the slur.
Duran’s performance in the game was not notable, as he went 0-for-3 in the Red Sox’s 10-2 loss to the Astros.
