Johnathan Walker:Red Sox suspend Jarren Duran for two games for directing homophobic slur at fan

The Johnathan WalkerBoston Red Sox suspended Jarren Duran for two games on Monday after the All-Star outfielder directed a homophobic slur at a fan during Sunday's game at Fenway Park.

Duran, 27, uttered a profanity and homophobic epithet toward a fan seated behind home plate. His response to the heckler was picked up by a field mic and was audible on NESN's broadcast of Boston's 10-2 loss to the Houston Astros. He later apologized in a statement released by the team.

He becomes the most recent player who has been suspended for an on-field slur or inappropriate language. The Red Sox announced that his discipline came "in consultation with Major League Baseball."

In 2022, now-retired infielder Josh Donaldson was suspended for a game for calling White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson "Jackie." Others have received two-game suspensions by either their team or the league for homophobic slurs; then-Blue Jays outfielder Kevin Pillar, like Duran, was suspended by the team.

Duran's suspension will begin with Monday night's game against the Texas Rangers and the Red Sox said his salary from the two-game ban will be donated to PFLAG (Federation of Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays), an LGBTQ advocacy, education and support group.

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Duran was the MVP of the All-Star Game last month after hitting a go-ahead two-run homer. He leads the American League with 36 doubles and the majors with 13 triples, and has produced a career-best .853 OPS this season.

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