It looks like Johny Damon won't be making his triumphant return to the Fenway Park outfield as a member of the Red Sox after all.
Jason Beck of MLB.com, Tweeted earlier today that Damon had said "I'm not going," presumably making up his mind on whether or not he's accept a trade to Boston after the Red Sox claimed the outfielder off of waivers Monday.
Damon met with reporters prior to the Tigers' game in Detroit on Tuesday and confirmed that he plans to stay in Detroit.
"I don't plan on waiving the [no-trade clause]", Damon said according to the Detroit Free Press. "Initially I thought long and hard about it, but after going around and talking to a bunch of my teammates, they want me here, and they feel we can make a strong push — at least make this AL Central race interesting. That's why I'm going to stay."
The Tigers are currently in third place in the Central trailing first-place Minnesota by 10 games.
The 36-year-old Damon also said that his Tiger teammates' desire to have him around for the stretch run went into his decision-making process.
"I wanted the assurance from my teammates that they really wanted me here," he said. "The higher-ups really like the attitude I bring."
