Boston Red Sox catcher Danny Jansen is poised to make MLB history on Monday. The seven-year veteran will become the first player in Major League Baseball to appear for both teams in a single game.
This rare occurrence will happen as the Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays resume their suspended matchup from June 26. The game will continue Monday as the first part of a doubleheader.
Jansen was a member of the Blue Jays for the original game but was traded to the Red Sox on July 27. Red Sox manager Alex Cora confirmed that Jansen will be substituted into the lineup when the game resumes, ensuring his record as the first player to play for both teams in the same game.
Reporters and columnists have been inquiring about the possibility of Jansen playing in the resumed game, recognizing the unusual situation. Cora confirmed the news before Friday’s game against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
“Yah, he’s catching,” Cora said. “Let’s make history!”
Jansen, 29, has appeared in 13 games for the Red Sox, with a batting average of .257 and an OPS of .794, including two home runs and five RBI. For the Blue Jays, he played 61 games, hitting .212 with a .671 OPS, 13 doubles, six homers, and 18 RBI.
The game from June 26 was tied 0–0 in the bottom of the second inning when it was suspended. At that time, Jansen was batting for the Blue Jays with one out and a runner on base, behind in the count 0–1. He will now replace Reese McGuire in Boston’s lineup. McGuire was designated for assignment following Jansen’s acquisition.
“I don’t even know how this works,” Jansen said to The Athletic after being traded to Boston. “I’ve heard about it a couple times. That’d be funky.”
