Why Jarren Duran Was ‘Nervous’ Before Red Sox-Rangers Finale

Jarren Duran has been an ironman for the Red Sox this season, but his durability was tested over the weekend in Texas.

Duran had an injury scare in Saturday's game at Globe Life Field. The All-Star outfielder favored his right side after a third-inning at-bat and was spotted wincing again in the seventh. The apparent pain bothering Duran surely led many to wonder whether Alex Cora would give Boston's sparkplug a day off Sunday, even if it were just precautionary.

In fact, Duran himself thought it was a possibility. As Tom Caron revealed during NESN's coverage of the series finale against the Rangers, Duran admitted he was "nervous" about potentially being left out of the Red Sox starting nine for the matinee matchup.

Fortunately for Duran, his worries vanished when Cora penciled him in as Sunday's leadoff hitter and center fielder. The 27-year-old managed to steal the show, too, going 3-for-4 with an RBI double and a solo home run in Boston's 7-2 win. The performance marked Duran's ninth multi-hit game since the Red Sox returned from the All-Star break July 19.

The fourth-year pro will be back at it Monday night when Boston opens a crucial three-game series in Kansas City. NESN's complete coverage of the opener begins at 7 p.m. ET.