Danny Jansen will become the first Major League player to play for both teams. He will play as a catcher for the Boston Red Sox on Monday during the resumption of a suspended game against the Toronto Blue Jays.
“He’s catching. Let’s make history,” Boston manager Alex Cora said Friday before the Red Sox lost the opener of a three-game series to Arizona 12-2.
Jansen was set to bat for Toronto when the June 26 game against Boston was suspended in the second inning due to rain and rescheduled for Monday as part of a doubleheader.
“I don’t know if it’s sunk in for me. It’s definitely cool. Definitely gratifying,” Jansen said. “Honestly, when I heard about it, I didn’t think I’d be the first. The game’s been around for so long. It’s one of those weird things that happens in this sport. It’s extremely rare and cool.”
The Red Sox acquired the 29-year-old Jansen on July 27.
Reese McGuire was Boston’s catcher for the June 26 game. McGuire was immediately assigned to Triple-A Worcester after the Red Sox traded Jansen.
Jansen was in the lineup Friday and was hitless in four at-bats in Boston’s 12-2 loss to Arizona. Since joining the Red Sox, he is hitting .257 with two homers in 13 games.