Boston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran has added right field to his practice work in camp this year, and some fans are wondering whether Duran could spend some time at the position for Boston in 2026.
On Wednesday, Red Sox manager Alex Cora all but shot down that possibility. Sure, Duran can't be completely ruled out from the position if injuries occur to other Boston outfielders, but Cora said that Jarren's reps there in camp are 100 percent to prepare for the upcoming World Baseball Classic, and have nothing to do with the Red Sox lineup.
Cora says that Jarren Duran will be playing some RF in the spring just to get him ready for the WBC, not related to the regular season lineup.
— Boston Strong (@BostonStrong_34) February 18, 2026
Duran has carved out a solid role as a speedy, versatile outfielder for the Red Sox since his major league debut on July 17, 2021. The seventh-round pick from the 2018 draft out of Long Beach State quickly advanced through the system, earning organizational All-Star nods and minor league honors along the way. By 2024, he broke out as an American League All-Star, claimed All-MLB Second Team honors, and took home team MVP and Heart and Hustle awards.
In 2025, Duran logged 157 games and posted a .256 average with 16 home runs, 84 RBIs, 86 runs, 41 doubles, and 24 stolen bases over 620 at-bats. He led the American League with 13 triples, outpacing the rest of the Red Sox roster combined, and delivered consistent baserunning value that ranked near the top of the league. An inside-the-park home run in late August during a playoff push stood out as a signature moment at Fenway Park. Notably, defensive metrics dipped compared to prior seasons.
Across his five big-league campaigns through 2025, Duran holds a .267 batting average, 50 home runs, 226 RBIs, and 91 stolen bases.
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