Red Sox Star Jarren Duran Offers 4-Word Response on Lost Playing Time

The Boston Red Sox earned their fifth win in a row on Tuesday as they’ve been looking to recover from the loss of franchise slugger Rafael Devers.

After trading Devers to the San Francisco Giants, the Red Sox have seen some major changes to their lineup. The team has slotted in top-ranked rookie Roman Anthony as an everyday outfielder and welcomed Gold Glove Award winner Wilyer Abreu back from injury. And, as a result, last year’s All-Star MVP Jarren Duran has lost his regular playing role.

“For now, though, players who have been everyday staples in the past are going to find themselves in reduced roles,” Chris Cotillo wrote for MassLive. “The Red Sox are going to choose, on most nights, between sitting a reigning All-Star Game MVP who received MVP votes (Duran) or a Gold Glove right fielder (Abreu).”

While enjoying an everyday role for most of the season, Duran has slashed just .259/.315/.427, a significant dip from his averages last year. But he’s batting .346 so far this month and could be embracing his new role.

When asked about the change, Duran sent a four word response on Alex Cora’s decision: “He’s a good manager,” Duran said, per Cotillo.

“A.C. has a plan and I trust him full tilt,” Duran was quoted as saying. “Whatever he needs me to do, I’m gonna do.”

In the near future, it looks like that will mean working to improve his production across fewer at-bats. But with the trade deadline looming and a logjam in the Red Sox outfield, perhaps some coming roster shakeups will change things again.

More MLB: MLB Insiders Advocate Cubs Pursue Royals’ $38 Million Pitcher at Trade Deadline