Roman Anthony and Marcelo Mayer began their big-league careers as the top two prospects in the Boston Red Sox’s system. There’s a chance that when they return from their respective injuries, they’ll be facing off against one another at Fenway Park.
The Red Sox traded Mayer — their No. 4 overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft — to the San Francisco Giants before the Aug. 3 deadline in exchange for left-handed reliever Erik Miller and outfield prospect Carlos Gutierrez. Mayer hit just .223 with a .625 OPS over 114 games played with Boston, and the California native struggled to stay on the field throughout his time with the organization due to a variety of injuries, including a forearm issue that has sidelined him since June 25.
A partially torn tendon in Anthony’s right ring finger has kept baseball’s former No. 1 prospect off the field since May 4. He’ll begin his rehab stint with the Double-A Portland Sea Dogs on Tuesday.
Before Tuesday’s game at Hadlock Field, Anthony shared his thoughts on his good friend Mayer being shipped out west.
“Obviously, Marcelo hit a little different. I came up with him and lived with him every day. He was my roommate since I was 18, 19 years old,” Anthony told reporters, including the Worcester Telegram & Gazette’s Tommy Cassell. “Seeing him go, I was excited for him to kind of get a new opportunity, almost like a refresh. To be back close to home, I think it will be good for him. Hopefully get to see him come to Boston. That would be pretty cool, right?
“But you know, I was sad. Obviously spoke to him, still speak to him quite a bit. Hope all goes well for him always. The friendship or the relationship when guys get traded, it doesn’t really change. I have a lot of friends that have gotten traded along the way, and a lot of great people that I still talk to and see on a consistent basis.”
Anthony and Mayer rose through Boston’s system together and made their MLB debuts in 2025. Mayer was first to be called up on May 24, and Anthony’s promotion came just over two weeks later on June 9.
Once expected to be franchise cornerstones, neither has lived up to their lofty expectations so far in their young careers. Anthony impressed in 71 games as a rookie before suffering a season-ending oblique strain, but he hit just .229 with one homer and a .675 OPS in 30 games this season before his finger injury. Mayer will hope that a fresh start in San Francisco revives the comparisons he drew to former Giants All-Star shortstop Brandon Crawford after being drafted.
The Red Sox will host the Giants for a three-game series starting on Friday night. With Anthony starting his rehab stint, and Mayer expected to join the Giants sometime this week, there’s a chance the former teammates will reunite this weekend at Fenway Park.
Anthony will bat second and serve as the designated hitter for Portland on Tuesday. First pitch at Hadlock Field is set for 6 p.m. ET.
