When the Boston Red Sox play the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday, Sox catcher Danny Jansen has the chance to become the first player in MLB history to play for two teams in the same game, WBZ reported.
Jansen, who started the game for the Blue Jays against the Red Sox on June 26, was batting in the top of the second inning when rain delayed the game, according to WBZ. He was later traded to Boston before the MLB trade deadline July 30. The June 26 game was eventually suspended and will be played as part of a doubleheader at Fenway on Monday, giving Jansen the chance to make history, WBZ reported. (RELATED: Reds’ Elly De La Cruz Becomes Just The 5th Player Ever In MLB History To Join The 60/20 Club)
Boston Red Sox catcher Danny Jansen could make MLB history. Here’s how. https://t.co/0SBYDz7MnP
— WBZ Boston Sports (@wbzsports) August 22, 2024
Reese McGuire, who started for the Sox on June 26, has subsequently been demoted to Triple-A Worcester, according to the outlet.
Although Connor Wong has caught the majority of Sox games this year, the fact that two full games are scheduled for Monday means that it is very likely Jansen and Wong will split the catching assignments, MLB.com reported.
Jansen told the Athletic it’s a “unique thing” and “it’s going to be nuts” if Sox manager Alex Cora pencils him into the lineup Monday.
When Jansen was traded, he said, “I don’t even know how this works. I’ve heard about it a couple times,” MLB.com reported.
When the game resumes, Jansen should be the batter for the Blue Jays, picking up the no balls, one strike count he faced when the game was delayed, according to MLB.com. However, since he’s on the Red Sox now, the Blue Jays will have to send up a pinch-hitter.
If Cora starts Jansen at catcher, he’d have the chance to finish a plate appearance as catcher while starting it as the batter, according to MLB.com.
MLB rules state that since Jansen had less than two strikes on him when the game was suspended, the pinch-hitter will get credit for the at-bat, MLB.com reported. Otherwise, it’s possible that if the pinch hitter struck out, Jansen could get credit for catching a strikeout of Jansen.
Still, if Jansen does start the game, his name will be in the box score for Toronto and Boston, according to MLB.com
“That’ll be funky, right?” Jansen told reporters.
