Boston Red Sox
“He’s been really open about his mental health challenges through the years and I think that’s had a very positive impact on a lot of people.”
Jarren Duran playing for the Red Sox on April 15. AP Photo/Abbie Parr
April 17, 2026 | 11:45 AM
2 minutes to read
Red Sox rally around Jarren Duran: A moment from Tuesday’s 6-0 Red Sox loss to the Twins received attention after Boston outfielder Jarren Duran was seen on television cameras flipping the middle finger at a fan while he ran back to the dugout.
After the game, Duran told Boston Globe reporter Tim Healey that it was in direct response to the fan’s taunting.
“Somebody just told me kill myself,” Duran told Healey. “I’m used to it at this point. I mean, [expletive] happens. I’m going to flip somebody off if they say something to me, but it is what it is. I shouldn’t react like that. But that kind of stuff is still kind of triggering. It happens.”
Duran has spoken frequently about battles with his mental health over the years, revealing a 2022 suicide attempt. He has been an ongoing advocate for transparency on the issue.
In response, Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow pledged the team’s support behind its outfielder.
“It was a really terrible and unfortunate situation,” Breslow told WEEI’s “The Greg Hill Show” during an interview. “Jarren said that he should not have reacted the way that he did, but also there’s no place in our game for comments like the one that was directed at him.
“We give Jarren our full support,” he added. “We’ve reached out to him to make sure that he knows that. He’s been really open about his mental health challenges through the years and I think that’s had a very positive impact on a lot of people.”
Scores and schedules:
The Red Sox begin a four-game series in Detroit against the Tigers this evening at 7:15 p.m.
The Fleet play the Victoire in Montreal tonight at 7 p.m.
The Revolution face the Crew at Gillette Stadium on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
And on Sunday, the Bruins and Celtics begin the playoffs. The Celtics start at 1 p.m. against the 76ers, while the Bruins get underway at 7:30 p.m. against the Sabres.
More from Boston.com:
On this day: In 2021, Jayson Tatum dropped 44 points on the Warriors in a 119-114 Celtics win.
Daily highlight: Kyle Isbel made a tremendous catch for the Royals in a 10-9 loss to the Tigers on Thursday.
Hayden Bird is a sports staff writer for Boston.com, where he has worked since 2016. He covers all things sports in New England.
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