The Red Sox hope Justin Turner will return against the Angels

Jarren Duran is expected to be in center field Monday night Boston Red Sox when they play a Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim, California, but that wasn’t so certain not long ago

Despite a decent spring training (6-18), Duran was unable to get the team going for the season. And he was just hitting .195 at Triple-A Worcester when the Red Sox he decided to call her on April 17th

But he’s played in every game since, starting all but two, and earned his keep. He is hitting .330 with three homers, 19 RBIs, seven stolen bases and a .917 OPS in 31 games.

It’s a complete turnaround for the former seventh-round pick out of Long Beach State — struggles on the field in recent years have led to mental health issues that Duran has faced and dealt with.

“Oh, he’s great!” Red Sox said manager Alex Cora. “Everything he’s talked about, and he’s been very open about it, you care about him, not only on the field, but off the field. This kid went to Puerto Rico in the middle of the pandemic to keep working on his craft. We were able to connect and I’m very proud on him.

THE Red Sox They hope to have third baseman Justin Turner back in the lineup Monday after suffering a sore left knee in Friday’s game against the San Diego Padres.

It couldn’t have come at a worse time for Turner, who is experiencing a successful May after some difficulties in April. He hit .250 with two homers and eight RBIs in April, but is hitting .316 with three homers and nine RBIs this month.

Right-hander Tanner Houck (3-3, 5.48 ERA) will make his ninth start of the season. Red Sox. He is 1-1 with a 9.72 ERA in three career appearances (one start) against Angels

THE Angels Jaime Barria (1-1, 1.96) is expected to make his first start of the season on Monday. He is 0-3 with a 4.73 ERA in four career appearances (two starts). Red Sox

THE Angels continues to be impressed with Zach Neto, who was the 13th overall pick in last year’s MLB draft but has already made it to the major league level. He went 1-3 in Sunday’s 4-2 win over the Twins and is hitting .250 overall, but his primary value has been on the defensive end.

Last Wednesday against the Baltimore Orioles, he made a spectacular over-the-shoulder catch on a pop fly that ran off his short fly into left field, drawing comparisons to Ozzie Smith. However, Neto remains humble.

“I’m pretty good, I’m just holding my own,” Neto said. “I’m doing everything I can. I’m putting my body in places I’ve never been. I’m just trying to do everything I can to keep the ball in the field, make plays and do whatever it takes to get out for pitchers. .”

— Field Level Media