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Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora has given outfielder Jarren Duran a new assignment while he ties his work with the franchise to also preparing to represent Team Mexico in the World Baseball Classic.
Duran, 29, is expected to play right field for Mexico in the WBC, a position that he isn't exactly familiar with since spending his time in the big leagues primarily at left and center field.
More practice will help develop Duran into an effective defender in the tournament. Alex Cora is giving him the green light to practice at the position with the Red Sox.
Jarren Duran's unfamiliarity at right field
Team Mexico is asking a lot from Jarren Duran, as the All-Star outfielder has only appeared in 10 MLB games at right field since he made his debut in 2021.
"Hopefully we can get him in games playing that position. Get him ready because it's fair for the player, fair for the federation and fair for us," Cora said, according to Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald. "Because if he's going to play right field, he better be ready because it will be hard for me to be watching a game and then all of a sudden he gets hurt because he wasn't prepared for that."
From the Red Sox's perspective, this won't be looked at as a permanent change of position for Duran. The idea is to get him the necessary reps to gain the confidence and experience to help Team Mexico succeed.
Mexico will look to take another step forward this go around at the WBC. In 2023, they finished in third place, only behind Japan and USA. This was their most successful run in the tournament since its inception in 2006.
Jarren Duran will join a team that's also led by the Seattle Mariners' Randy Arozarena, the Toronto Blue Jays' Alejandro Kirk, and the Philadelphia Phillies' Taijuan Walker.
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