Boston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran announced Wednesday that he is still unvaccinated against the COVID-19, which means he will be ineligible to play in next week’s three-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre, Ontario.
Duran remained unvaccinated due to his own reasoning and his decision appeared to be supported by the Red Sox.
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“It’s hard [not to be able to play in Toronto]. It’s also a personal decision. It’s just what I have to decide.” argued Duran.
“Obviously, I want to be in the lineup every day. But it’s just a personal decision that I’m still thinking about with family and friends and everybody.”
All visitors to Canada must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, so unvaccinated players will be unable to play in Toronto this season. Tanner Houck and Kutter Crawford, both Red Sox pitchers, were placed on the restricted list for Boston’s four-game series at Rogers Centre back in April because they had not been vaccinated.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora confirmed that Houck, who has taken on the closer role in recent weeks, will be inactive for next week’s series.
Beyond Houck and Duran, it’s unclear whether any other members of Boston’s current 26-man roster will miss the three-game set, which begins Monday.
Duran, 25, has played admirably in his nine major league games this season. He has played in Triple-A and the majors, and admits that losing three games in a row is “tough.” Duran batted 303 with two doubles, two triples, and two steals in nine major league games this season, an important indicator after an underwhelming year with the club.
Red Sox struggle on player compositions
In any case, failing to get vaccinated will have an impact on the rest of the team, as they will be without one of their most important relievers and possibly their leadoff hitter. The Red Sox, in particular, will be struggling with their team compositions while they are in Canada. In addition, Kiké Hernández was also recently placed on the 10-day injured list with a right hip flexor strain, and he is unlikely to return anytime soon.
Duran and Rob Refsnyder have filled in excellently for Hernández in center field. They most recently defeated the Tigers 6-2 on Wednesday. Duran started the game with a nine-pitch, left-on-left at-bat against Detroit starter Tarik Skubal, which resulted in a grounder to first and forced Tigers shortstop Javy Báez to make an error.
Later in the game, he hit a two-run double down the left-field line, scoring on a home run by Rob Refsnyder.
If Hernández is unable to play in Toronto, Refsnyder and Jackie Bradley Jr. will most likely be relied on in the center, with Franchy Cordero and Christian Arroyo splitting time in the right field. Christian Arroyo is expected to be activated from the COVID list on Friday.
Since they became available last spring, Red Sox officials have encouraged the team’s players to get their vaccinations, while emphasizing that each individual’s decision is possible. The team, however, cannot compel players to get vaccinated.
“Obviously we want [Duran] and all of our players available everywhere, but we know that this is a decision that they have the right to make for themselves,” said Red Sox chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom.
Players’ decisions to remain unvaccinated have professional ramifications. The players lose both their salary and service time while on the restricted list, which is used to determine arbitration eligibility and free agency.
The Red Sox will finish their three-game series against the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday night before beginning another three-game set against the Cleveland Guardians. Their Toronto series begins on June 27.
