It was a disappointing end to a disappointing season for Roman Anthony in 2026. After his impressive rookie year was cut short, fans were hoping to see the next great Boston Red Sox outfielder in full-time action, but injuries (once again) completely derailed his season.
The 22-year-old suffered a partially torn ligament in his right ring finger on May 4. Initial comments by the Red Sox said he would be getting the minimum IL stint; instead, he was out for almost four months. He wasn't playing well when he got injured, and it was only slightly better after his return. Then, in Game 1 of the Wild Card Round, he re-aggravated his initial injury and suffered new muscle strains.
It was a hard pill to swallow for Sox fans who were ultimately let down by his 2026 season, but the hope was that he would be ready for Opening Day 2027. Craig Breslow's most recent comments aren't making that a certainty, though.
Red Sox need to make sure Anthony is healthy for next season, but the lockout will make that difficult
Per @SmittyOnMLB, Craig Breslow wouldn't commit to Roman Anthony being fully ready for the start of spring training.
— Matthew Crory (@matthewcrory) November 10, 2026
"(He's) going to be evaluated in a couple of weeks and then likely starts a range of motion strengthening program and then eventually a hitting progression."
The… pic.twitter.com/Udt1U4flTj
According to MassLive's Chris Smith, Breslow was noncommittal when asked if Anthony would be ready for Opening Day. He gave an update on his rehab progression, but also added that the likely lockout is going to make things difficult.
“At this point, we are just trying to make sure that he’s got a pretty good understanding of what the rehab is going to look like,” Breslow said. “Map it out and then make sure that, regardless of what situation we find ourselves in, he’s getting the medical care that he needs.”
Once the lockout begins, the Red Sox will not be allowed to communicate with Anthony for any purpose. He will have a plan to follow from the team, but until a new Collective Bargaining Agreement is signed, his rehab will be in his hands.
Anthony was framed as the next face of the franchise and received the long-term extension up-and-coming young players dream of. But with injuries now affecting him for possibly three straight years, the Red Sox will have a difficult reality to face.
Breslow said he was hopeful that Anthony would be ready for the start of spring training, but don't forget the Red Sox were also hopeful of Anthony missing minimal time with his finger injury in 2026.
The Red Sox have committed to Anthony, so Red Sox Nation can only hope that he is able to sort out these issues and become the player fans hoped he would be. Breslow's injury update doesn't instill any hope, which is a tough scene as the lockout approaches in just a few weeks.
Add us as a preferred source on Google