Boston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran has been handed a two-game suspension after using an anti-gay slur towards a fan during Sunday's game, according to reports from ESPN's Jeff Passan. The suspension will be effective immediately, preventing Duran from participating in Monday's game against the Texas Rangers, which is aired on ESPN.

Following the announcement of the suspension, the Red Sox revealed that Duran's salary for the two games missed will be donated to PFLAG (Federation of Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays), the United States' largest organization dedicated to supporting and advocating for the LGBTQ community and their allies.

This disciplinary action aligns with previous penalties imposed on players for similar incidents. Back in 2017, Matt Joyce, who was then playing for the Oakland Athletics, received a two-game suspension without pay for using an anti-gay slur towards a fan. That same year, Kevin Pillar of the Toronto Blue Jays faced a similar penalty for directing a homophobic slur at an opposing pitcher. In 2012, Yunel Escobar was suspended for three games for wearing eye-black strips with an anti-gay slur written on them.

The incident involving Duran occurred during the NESN broadcast, and the remark quickly spread across social media platforms. The outfielder responded to a fan who was heckling him during his time at bat, using the offensive slur.

Shortly after the game, the Red Sox released a statement in which Duran apologized for his actions. In his statement, Duran expressed remorse for the hurtful word he used and acknowledged the disappointment and offense it caused. He offered apologies to the entire Red Sox organization and, more significantly, to the LGBTQ community. Duran emphasized the importance of being a role model for young fans and pledged to educate himself and his teammates, aiming to grow as an individual.

The Red Sox also addressed the matter with Duran internally and conveyed their apologies to both the team's fanbase and the LGBTQ community. They reaffirmed their commitment to fostering an inclusive environment at Fenway Park and reiterated their ongoing efforts to educate everyone associated with the organization regarding the significance of inclusivity.

Jarren Duran, who turns 28 in September, has been having a stellar season with the Red Sox. He currently boasts a batting average of .291, an OPS of .853, 14 home runs, 58 RBI, and an impressive 29 stolen bases. Furthermore, he leads the American League with 36 doubles and tops the entire MLB with 13 triples. Duran's standout performance earned him a spot on this year's AL All-Star team, where he won the All-Star Game MVP title by smashing a home run in the Midsummer Classic.

In light of his actions on the field, Duran now faces a temporary setback as he serves his suspension. However, he has expressed a genuine desire to learn from this incident and use it as an opportunity for personal growth. As the Red Sox organization supports him in this journey, they remain committed to furthering inclusivity and understanding within their ranks and among their fans.