NEW YORK -- All-purpose player Ezequiel Duran is playing at Yankee Stadium for the first time since New York signed him as an international free agent in 2017. But this time, he is a member of the Rangers, who acquired his services as part of the Joey Gallo trade in July 2021.

Before the trade, Duran, 24, played with Yankees infielders Anthony Volpe, Oswald Peraza and, briefly, Gleyber Torres. Duran is grateful for the opportunity New York gave him when he was in the Minor Leagues. However, he is now focused on helping the Rangers reach the postseason this October.  

“The Yankees helped me mentally, taught me how to work hard, be professional and disciplined,” Duran said through interpreter Raul Cardenas. “I was with the Yankees for four years. I was surprised [by the trade]. That’s all I knew when I was young. But I knew I needed to go forward in my career. I want to thank the Rangers for giving me the opportunity.”

While Gallo is now with the Twins after playing in 140 games with the Yankees, Duran has produced for Texas. Entering Friday night’s series opener, Duran was hitting .310 with nine home runs and 30 RBIs in 55 games. The numbers are a vast improvement from last year, when he hit .236 in 58 games.

“I want to thank God, who has helped me,” Duran said. “I worked really hard making adjustments -- how [the pitchers] pitched to me. I’ve been seeing the ball very well this year. I’m being selective. … I go to the cage a lot. Hitting is what I focus on a lot. The adjustment I’ve made is not being overly aggressive on certain pitches.”

Duran will play almost any position asked of him. When Corey Seager went on the injured list on April 12 with a left hamstring strain and missed more than a month, Duran filled in admirably at shortstop, according to manager Bruce Bochy, playing 26 games there and making just two errors.

“Probably what’s impressed me the most is how much we have moved him around. It hasn’t affected him. He embraces it,” Bochy said. “Here, we lose Seager for an extended period of time and Duran plays shortstop, and he played an outstanding shortstop. Great job there. This spring, I put him in all three outfield positions, third base, second base. He has already played a game at first base. His versatility has to impress you along with what he does at the plate.”

On Friday night against the Yankees, Duran started in left field.