The Red Sox havent yet discu sed a contract extension with , the outfielder told earlier this week, though Duran doesnt seem bothered by the lack of talks. Im just here to play baseball. If they come talk to me, then they come talk to me, but Im just enjoying playing baseball with this team , Duran said. The Sox arent exactly on a ticking clock, as Duran doesnt reach arbitration eligibility until this coming winter, though he will likely qualify for Super Two status and thus earn a fourth arbitration year. That extra arb year could make things very lucrative for Duran, given how has continued to up his game in 2024. He has hit .280/.347/.478 over 350 plate appearances this season, just Bill Buckner Jersey about matching the numbers he posted over 362 PA in 2023. When combined with his excellent baserunning and solid defense in left and center field, Duran has generated 3.1 fWAR, a number topped by only eight players this season. Considering how Duran struggled in his first two big league seasons, it isnt surprising that the Red Sox wanted a little more data beyond just 2023 to make sure that Durans breakout was for real. Signing Duran to an extension will be a lot more expensive now than it wouldve been last winter, yet it still might allow the Red Sox to gain some certainty over Durans escalating arb salaries, and add another year of control or two over a player they might now view as a longer-term building block. That said, Durans age could also be a factor, as he turns 28 in September, and so Boston already has him arb-controlled through his age-31 season. More from around the AL East s throwing progre sion has been paused due to some elbow sorene s, Blue Jays manager John Schneider told MLB.coms Henry Palattella ( ) and other media. Romano was supposed to pitch off a mound today for the first time since being placed on the 15-day IL due to right elbow inflammation back on June 1, but now that plan has been temporarily set aside. Elbow discomfort has been an i sue for Romano for all season, resulting in a pair of IL trips and a rough 6.59 ERA over 13 2/3 innings in between those absences. Torontos bullpen has struggled for much of the season, and is currently without its projected top three relievers. Romano and are injured, and is currently in Triple-A trying to get on track after posting a 9.22 ERA in his first 13 2/3 innings of 2024. Season-ending injuries to , , and now have only underlined the Orioles need for starting pitching, and Baltimore is widely expected to pursue rotation help at the deadline. However, sources tell that GM Mike Elias hasnt felt the need to become any more aggre sive Bradishs Tommy John surgery, and that the Os might still wait until closer to the actual deadline to make any pitching moves. The Orioles 49-26 record gives them plenty of breathing room to evaluate their needs, though Baltimore is also in a tight race with the Yankees for the AL East crown. Ending the notes post with another Red Sox item, Boston reinstated from the 10-day injured list today, and optioned to Triple-A in the corresponding move. Abreu has mi sed just shy of three weeks with a sprained ankle, interrupting the outfielders quietly outstanding play since making his MLB debut last season. Abreu had a .862 OPS over 85 PA in 2023, and with his rookie status still intact, has now gained some Rookie of the Year buzz with his .272/.344/.485 slash line over 189 PA this season. Jake Gelof Jersey