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Examining Jarren Duran's Declining Playing Time For Red Sox In 2026 originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Jarren Duran spent the last two seasons as a nearly everyday fixture in the Boston Red Sox's lineup. That hasn't been the case to begin the 2026 season.
Duran sat out Wednesday's 5-0 win over the Milwaukee Brewers against left-handed rookie Shane Drohan. It was the second game he missed in a three-game series and the third time Duran didn't play in the season's opening 12 games.
That's a noteworthy development, as Duran played in all but seven games in 2024 and 2025. MassLive's Chris Cotillo noted that his third non-start of last year didn't occur until July 7.
Duran has already missed more games this year than all of 2024. He recorded an MLB-high 735 plate appearances in 160 games that season, missing the two games to serve a suspension for directing an anti-gay slur at a fan.
A crowded outfield could cost everyone some playing time, but Duran has been affected the most over the first two weeks. Wilyer Abreu has started every game as Boston's hottest hitter, and Roman Anthony and Ceddanne Rafaela have each come off the bench the one time they didn't start.
It's also not a strict platoon situation. Duran started against southpaw Andrew Abbott on Opening Day and sat against the right-handed Brandon Woodruff on Monday.
With so many options, Red Sox manager Alex Cora can afford to sideline a slumping staple. Duran hasn't carried over a spring power surge into the regular season, batting .182/.308/.242 with just two extra-base hits (both doubles) in 39 plate appearances.
Duran could probably avoid too many off days by snapping out of his funk, but it appears the 29-year-old can no longer assume a spot on Boston's daily lineup card.
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