In a devastating blow to the Boston Red Sox, star rookie outfielder Roman Anthony is set to undergo an MRI on Wednesday after exiting Tuesday’s 11-7 victory over the Cleveland Guardians with left oblique tightness. The 21-year-old phenom, who has electrified fans with his stellar performance since his call-up from Triple-A Worcester on June 9, felt discomfort during a fourth-inning at-bat, grabbing his lower left back above his belt after striking out swinging. He did not return to the field, with Nate Eaton taking his place in right field for the fifth inning.
The injury occurred during a check swing in the same at-bat, Anthony revealed post-game. “It sucks,” he said, his frustration palpable. “I’m hoping for the best and staying positive, but anytime I’m not out there, I’m pretty pissed off.” This marks Anthony’s first-ever oblique injury, adding uncertainty to his status as he awaits the MRI results. “I’m not really sure,” he admitted when asked about his concern level. “I’ll see tomorrow, after the MRI.”
Manager Alex Cora described Anthony as “sore,” while veteran teammate Alex Bregman called the injury a “gut punch” to the team. “Obviously losing Roman today is tough,” Bregman said. “He’s one of the best players in all of baseball, but we’ve got to keep pushing forward. Nobody needs to try and do more than they’re capable of—just execute the game plan and find ways to win.”
Anthony’s injury comes at a precarious time for Boston’s outfield, already reeling from Wilyer Abreu’s lingering right calf strain, which has kept him on the injured list since August 21. The Red Sox are now bracing for the possibility of losing another key piece of their lineup as they fight to stay in playoff contention.
The young leadoff hitter has been a revelation for Boston, batting an impressive .292 with a .396 on-base percentage, .463 slugging percentage, and .859 OPS across 71 games. His stat line includes eight home runs, 18 doubles, one triple, 32 RBIs, and 48 runs, showcasing his ability to impact games both at the plate and on the basepaths. On Tuesday, Anthony contributed an RBI single in Boston’s four-run second inning, going 1-for-3 before his early exit.
Reflecting on the injury, Anthony compared it to a bout of mid-back tightness that sidelined him for two games in early August. “This is definitely worse in terms of how it feels right now,” he said. When asked about the possibility of a stint on the injured list, he was candid: “I don’t know. I wish I knew. I haven’t dealt with something like this before. We’ll know in the morning, I’m sure.”
As the Red Sox and their fans anxiously await the MRI results, the hope is that Anthony’s injury is minor and won’t derail his breakout season. For now, the team must rally together, leaning on their depth and resilience to navigate this latest challenge in a season full of highs and lows.