Jarren Duran is hours from his first All-Star game appearance at Globe Life Field. The Boston Red Sox outfielder has been among the teams' best players all season — literally, all season.
Duran has started every game for the Sox in 2024, all but one out of the leadoff spot. Boston's manager Alex Cora tried to give Duran a day off on June 22, but he refused and took up his usual spot in center field.
June 22 is Duran's fellow outfielder Tyler O'Neill's birthday, and Cora likely hoped to give O'Neill a start to begin his 29th year, not because Duran needed the rest. He reinforced this sentiment with later comments about former Red Sox staples Mookie Betts and Xander Bogaerts.
Betts and Bogaerts were near-daily players in their years in Boston, but even they needed occasional rest days. Cora doesn't feel the same about Duran, who he called "tougher than those guys," followed by a laugh, according to Mac Cerullo of The Boston Herald.
Alex Cora jokes about former Red Sox Mookie Betts and Xander Bogaerts while praising Jarren Duran
"We just felt like he can handle it," Cora continued. "He's accepted the challenge, we're going to keep playing him. He's one of our best players."
— Mac Cerullo (@MacCerullo) July 10, 2024
The Red Sox have faced the Dodgers multiple times since Betts' departure and Bogaerts visited Fenway Park as an opponent for the first time from June 28-30. Cora still has positive relationships with both players and his comments weren't meant to disparage the former Sox.
Duran has proven he has what it takes to play every single day. Despite the constant work, he's maintained a high level of offense and exceptional defense for his squad. His durability has been key to Boston's success all season, particularly during their severely injured stretch in April and May.
Duran's transformation as a player since last season has been dramatic. He went from losing fly balls in the lights and missing catches to one of the best defensive outfielders in the league in one offseason. It's clear he has the work ethic and physical capability to play every day, and his all-around consistency proves it.
The 27-year-old is determined to post for 162 games, and he's already more than halfway there. Duran will continue his MVP-caliber campaign after the All-Star game and will play every day, whether Cora likes it or not.