Boston Red Sox Outfielder Jarren Duran’s Obscene Gesture Toward Fan at Target Field

During the fifth inning of Boston’s 6-0 loss to the Minnesota Twins at Target Field on Tuesday night, Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran returned to the dugout after a groundout and directed an obscene gesture toward a spectator. Duran later said a fan told him to kill himself, a comment he described as crossing a personal line.

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The Twins defeated Boston 6-0, with the gesture occurring after Duran’s groundout in the fifth inning. The incident was captured on stadium video, though no official review has been released. The Red Sox could not mount a comeback, and the loss ended without on-field altercations.

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Duran discussed severe depression and a suicide attempt in a Netflix series released last year. He noted that speaking about his mental health has attracted negative attention, which he attributes to “bringing in the haters.” In 2024, Duran received a two-game suspension from the Red Sox and MLB after using an anti-gay slur in response to a fan.

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Boston manager Alex Cora said he did not witness the gesture and had not yet reviewed video footage.

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Because Cora has not reviewed the video and no officials reported witnessing the gesture, the precise nature of Duran’s response remains unverified. The fan’s alleged comment is reported only through Duran’s account, and no independent statement from the spectator has been provided.

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• “Somebody just told me to kill myself,” — Jarren Duran, Boston Red Sox outfielder

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• “I'm used to it at this point, you know? I mean, s--- happens. I mean, I'm going to 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.” — Jarren Duran

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• “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,” — Jarren Duran

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• “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.” — Jarren Duran

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The incident follows Duran’s public discussion of severe depression and a suicide attempt in a Netflix series, and a 2024 two-game suspension for using an anti-gay slur toward a fan. The combination of mental-health disclosures and a public gesture toward a spectator underscores the relevance of MLB’s disciplinary framework for player conduct toward fans.

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