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Former Red Sox Hitter Joins International Club At Age 41
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- Former Red Sox Hitter Joins International Club At Age 41
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A longtime MLB veteran is leaving the United States to play south of the border.
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The Mexican League's Tijuana Toro officially signed Justin Turner on Saturday. Turner counted the Boston Red Sox among his seven MLB teams over 17 years.
"A ballplayer who leaves it all on the field for a fanbase that gives it all in the stands," the Toro wrote of Turner.
Turner also confirmed the news along with an important grooming update in an Instagram video shared on Saturday.
"I am fired up to join the team and to bring another championship back down to Cerro Colorado," Turner said. "I also wanted you guys not to worry, the beard is definitely on the way back."
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Turner hit eight home runs in five seasons with the Baltimore Orioles and New York Mets before breaking out with the Los Angeles Dodgers . The two-time All-Star batted .296/.375/.490 in nine seasons with the National League powerhouse before signing a one-year deal with the Red Sox in 2023.
Boston's lineup received an instant boost from Turner, who registered 23 home runs and an .800 OPS in 626 plate appearances. The right-hander spent the 2024 season with the Seattle Mariners and Toronto Blue Jays before batting .219/.288/.314 for the Chicago Cubs last year.
A 41-year-old designated hitter with declining results didn't spark much interest on MLB's open market. Turner will instead play for the Toro, who won championships in 2017 and 2021.
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