Danny Jansen Poised to Make MLB History: Play for Two Teams in the Same Game

Boston Red Sox catcher Danny Jansen is on the brink of a unique milestone in Major League Baseball history.

He is set to become the first player to appear in the same game for both teams.

Jansen originally started the game for the Toronto Blue Jays on June 26 before it was suspended due to rain.

Since then, he was traded to the Red Sox, and manager Alex Cora has confirmed Jansen will be in the lineup when the game resumes on Monday.

Reflecting on this unusual scenario, Jansen expressed his surprise at being the first to achieve such a feat in the sport.

"Baseball has been around for so long, there's so many things that's happened in the game. So I was surprised when I found out I was the first," Jansen said while speaking from the Red Sox clubhouse.

He added, "Any time you can be a part of this great game's history, it's pretty unique."

Jansen, known for his work as a right-handed backup catcher, hasn't had enough plate appearances to qualify for a batting title.

Still, he's making the most of his opportunities since being traded to the Red Sox on July 27. Over 14 games with Boston, Jansen is batting .231, with two home runs and five RBIs.

His lifetime average is .222, reflecting his role as a consistent, if not standout, contributor.

Despite his modest stats, Jansen's place in baseball history may soon be cemented, albeit as a quirky footnote.

An MLB authenticator is expected to be present on Monday to collect an artifact from this historic game for the Hall of Fame.

"It's a bit strange," Jansen said, "But it's one of those oddities of the game and it's pretty cool. I'm still surprised that it hasn't happened, but it's a cool thing."

The game's unique circumstances originated when Jansen was at the plate, with a runner on first and a one-strike count, just before the umpires called for the tarps during the finale of Boston's series against Toronto in June.

The game is set to resume from that exact point on Monday as part of a day-night doubleheader, marking Toronto's first return to Fenway Park since the suspension.

Jansen is likely to be behind the plate as a catcher when the Blue Jays send a pinch hitter to finish off his at-bat.

His former manager, John Schneider, reflected on the situation with a mix of humour and admiration.

"It's pretty fitting that Jano will be the first guy to do that. He's that kind of guy. Weird stuff happens to him," Schneider said.

The logistics of the lineup for the resumed game have created some challenges for both teams, especially considering the five players from the June 26 lineup who are no longer on the current active roster.

The Red Sox, for instance, had to send down Reese McGuire, the original catcher for that game, to Triple-A Worcester to make room for Jansen.

Despite the complications, one thing is certain: Jansen will be in the lineup for the first game of Monday's doubleheader.

As Cora stated, "He will play Game 1, by the way, for all the people who have been looking at history. You know what? Yeah, he's catching. Let's make history."