The Boston Red Sox entered the 2026 season with too many outfielders, as Ceddanne Rafaela was etched in stone at center and Wilyer Abreu was the same in right field. Then there was left field, where Roman Anthony was supposed to be the starter and Jarren Duran was a sometimes fill-in who could also play center. Most assumed it would be uncomfortable. But that assumption ended quickly when Anthony got hurt in early May, making Duran the every day left fielder.
Now, though, Anthony is on his way back, having gotten ligament damage in his hand and wrist he suffered on May 4 healed up and now working on getting his swing back into shape in a rehab assignment that began with Double-A Portland but now moves to Triple-A Worcester.
Anthony could be back in Boston soon. That puts Duran in a tenuous position, especially considering he is batting just .207 with a .627 OPS and 144 strikeouts this year.
Jarren Duran Won’t Be Displaced by Roman Anthony
But not so fast, Red Sox manager Chad Tracy said. The team has liked what it sees from Duran in left field, and the Boston outfield has been by far the best in MLB defensively this year.
Anthony will play in the field. But not necessarily every day, and Duran will still be the primary guy.
“I don’t think it’s a case of needing him to play every day,” Tracy said about Anthony in left, via MassLive. ”You obviously want him out there. We’ve seen it with Masa (Yoshida getting hurt). Something could happen in a blink and you need him to be out there regularly, so he’s got to get reps out there and he’s got to get on his feet to play out there.
“But I don’t think it’s an everyday scenario that he needs to be able to play the field every single day.”
Red Sox Happy With Jarren Duran Lately
And so, the Red Sox have a crowded outfield yet again. Duran figures to be the primary left fielder, with Anthony playing sometimes but primarily acting as the DH. The impulse to look at Duran’s numbers would normally bring a knee-jerk reaction to bench him, but since July 24, he has been more like the Duran Red Sox fans know: .267, .750 OPS.
The Red Sox also need to find at-bats for Jahmai Jones, who is on a heater lately and is batting .520 with a 1.586 OPS in 25 at-bats since coming to Boston.
Roman Anthony Not Likely to Join Red Sox in Miami
As for Anthony’s return to the Red Sox, he has hit .273 in four games with Portland and now will play on Tuesday in Worcester. There was speculation that he could be ready to play the Marlins this week in Miami, his hometown, but while Tracy did not rule that out, he seemed to point more toward the big weekend series against the Yankees.
“I would say: likely (not in Miami),” Tracy said. “I wouldn’t completely rule it out, but I still think he’s in a buildup phase of outfield and continuing to get at-bats. I won’t completely rule it out but he’s definitely gonna continue on Tuesday in Worcester.”
Red Sox Hint at Jarren Duran Decision Amid Roman Anthony Return