MINNEAPOLIS — Both Major League Baseball and the Minnesota Twins have launched investigations after Boston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran claimed a spectator told him to take his own life during Tuesday night’s game at Target Field.
The incident occurred when Duran was walking back to the dugout following a ground out in the fifth inning of Boston’s 6-0 defeat. Duran responded to the alleged comment by making an obscene gesture toward the fan.
Dustin Morse, the Twins’ senior vice president of communications and public affairs, confirmed the team’s investigation Wednesday. “We were made aware of the situation late last night and are looking into it,” Morse stated. “There’s no place in our game for conduct like that.”
Major League Baseball has also confirmed they are conducting their own review, following standard protocol to examine both the player’s actions and the fan’s behavior before deciding on any potential disciplinary measures.
Following the game, Duran spoke about the incident with reporters. “Somebody just told me to kill myself. I’m used to it at this point, you know?” he explained. The outfielder acknowledged his reaction was inappropriate, saying he “shouldn’t react like that, but that kind of stuff is still kind of triggering.”
Duran has been open about his mental health challenges, including severe depression and a suicide attempt, which he discussed in a Netflix documentary series released last year.
The player expressed regret about sharing his mental health journey publicly. “Honestly, it’s my fault for talking about my mental health because I kind of brought in the haters. So I’ve just got to get used to it,” Duran said. “I was just trying to hold it in and not really bring that up to the team. I mean, we’re trying to win a game. I shouldn’t even bring that up to anybody. … It just happens.”
Red Sox manager Alex Cora didn’t witness the incident or review footage immediately after the game, but addressed the situation before Wednesday’s series finale.
“I know the Twins are all over the case and trying to find out who he was, and hopefully they find the person,” Cora told reporters. He added that if the fan is identified, “it’s probably the last big-league game that that person is going to attend.”
Cora expressed full support for his player. “We have Jarren’s back. Like I said last year, for him to open up, he saved lives,” the manager stated. “And it’s not easy. It’s not easy because, like he said, we’re in the business of winning games, and he doesn’t want to be a distraction. And he’s not a distraction. He’s not. He’s just a player that plays for the Red Sox and has our full support.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, help is available by calling or texting 988 for the national suicide and crisis lifeline. Online chat support is also available at 988lifeline.org.
