The Boston Red Sox are holding their breath as they await what is hopefully encouraging news on Roman Anthony. Even still, they know that losing one of the most exciting rookies in the game for any period of time is a brutal blow.
Anthony was removed from Tuesday’s win over the Cleveland Guardians in the fourth inning. He was seen wincing and grabbing his back after striking out on a check swing, and he promptly departed down the tunnel upon returning to the dugout.
He was diagnosed with left oblique tightness. Manager Alex Cora could not offer more than saying Anthony was sore and that he’d be getting an MRI on Wednesday.
Anthony has become a staple atop the Red Sox lineup, wasting no time blossoming into the big league player everyone long expected him to be. Losing his bat, in particular, will be a big blow for a Red Sox team with the American League East crown very much in reach.
“Losing Roman today is a gut punch,” Sox third baseman Alex Bregman said after Tuesday’s game, via NESN’s Tom Caron. “Obviously, one of the best players in all of baseball, but we’ve got to continue to push along. No one needs to try and do more, … just need to continue to find ways to win.”
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Should Anthony miss time, Jarren Duran seems likely to slot into the leadoff spot. Rob Refsnyder figures to see an uptick in playing time since Wilyer Abreu remains on the injured list. In a pinch, Masataka Yoshida also could take on additional outfield work.
