The Boston Red Sox and Major League Baseball have imposed a two-game suspension on outfielder Jarren Duran following his use of an anti-gay slur directed at a fan during Sunday, August 10 2024 loss to the Houston Astros.
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The suspension, which began with Monday’s game against the Texas Rangers, will see Duran’s salary for the suspended games donated to PFLAG, an organization supporting LGBTQ+ individuals and their families.
Duran’s earnings amount to $760,000 annually, and he will forfeit $8,172 during the suspension.
The incident occurred in the sixth inning at Fenway Park when Duran, while in the middle of an at-bat, responded to a heckler with an offensive remark.
The 27-year-old outfielder later issued a public apology, acknowledging the gravity of his words and vowing to improve.
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Duran expressed regret, stating he was “sorry for my actions” and committed to working on being better.
His teammates and the Red Sox organization have shown support, with teammate Rob Refsnyder emphasizing that everyone makes mistakes and that Duran would learn from this experience.
Red Sox President and CEO Sam Kennedy described the situation as “disappointing” but praised the organization’s response.
Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow noted the incident highlighted ongoing challenges in addressing such issues and called for continued progress.
Duran further apologized to the umpire and catcher involved, and Red Sox manager Alex Cora pledged support, acknowledging the need for personal and professional growth.
Cora stressed that while Duran made a significant mistake, the focus should be on helping him to become a better person and player.
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