Overview
- Duran went 2-for-2 with two home runs against the Twins, driving balls 401 and 409 feet off Taj Bradley and Kendry Rojas.
- The outfielder is 7-for-12 this spring with three homers and two doubles, and Yahoo Sports put his OPS at 2.167 through the first week.
- One day earlier he homered off former Red Sox left-hander Chris Sale, giving him back-to-back blasts against southpaws.
- Coaches have cited improved plate discipline and sharper pitch recognition, aligning with Cora’s view that his swing decisions look different.
- Boston had planned to lean on Wilyer Abreu versus lefties and use Duran at DH and in the three-hole, but his surge could force adjustments despite past struggles against left-handed pitching (.232 average, .620 OPS career; .211, .600 OPS in 2025).