MINNEAPOLIS — Boston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran made an obscene gesture toward a spectator at Target Field during Tuesday night’s 6-0 defeat to the Minnesota Twins, responding to what he described as a deeply personal attack from the stands.
The incident occurred as Duran walked back to the dugout following a groundout in the fifth inning. The player, who has previously been open about his mental health challenges, explained that a fan had crossed a serious line with their comment.
“Somebody just told me to kill myself,” Duran explained after the game. “I’m used to it at this point, you know? I mean, (expletive) happens. I mean, I’m gonna flip somebody off if they say something to me, but it is what it is. I shouldn’t react like that, but that kind of stuff is still kind of triggering.”
The outfielder previously shared details about his battles with severe depression and a suicide attempt in a Netflix documentary series that premiered last year.
“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 continued. “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 stated he did not see the incident occur and had not yet watched any video footage of what transpired.
