Many Boston Red Sox fans were shocked to see Alex Cora give Roman Anthony a day off on April 23, right when he'd been heating up at the plate. He's posted a .433 on-base percentage in his last seven games and the Red Sox will need every offensive advantage they can possibly get against the rival New York Yankees.
But shortly after the lineup's release, Red Sox fans learned the reality is worse than poor construction from Cora. Anthony was sidelined with back soreness. The Red Sox believe it isn't a serious injury and hoped he'd be back in the lineup for the series finale.
He won't be. In a morning appearance on WEEI's "The Greg Hill Show," Cora announced that Anthony will be out for another day. The skipper said Anthony is "feeling better, but not great."
This is troubling news for the Red Sox, who not only need Anthony in their lineup, they need him to hit an offensive rhythm. Anthony was a huge part of Boston's eight-run series finale against the Detroit Tigers, as he got on base four times (a hit and three walks). No matter how it happens, the Red Sox need as many runners on base as possible to extend their lineup and have as many chances as possible to drive in a run, especially if they aren't going to hit home runs.
Red Sox will sit Roman Anthony for another game as he deals with back tightness
Lineup changes? Cora: "Yeah, we are going to stay away from Roman, again"
— WEEI (@WEEI) April 23, 2026
Who will bat 1st? Manager of Red Sox, Alex Cora joins!
Curtis: "Does the analytics department understand the value of Alex Bregman?" #News #LineupChanges #RedSox #MLB pic.twitter.com/x81eznFxNH
Anthony's absence in the final matchup of the Yankees series is especially rough because Cam Schlittler will be on the mound for New York. Schlittler is off to quite a start this season with a 1.95 ERA, 36 strikeouts and three walks over 27.2 innings. Boston needs someone seeing the ball — remember Anthony's three walks the other day? — to have a shot at getting the best of Schlittler, and Anthony might be the struggling offense's best bet.
Also on WEEI, Cora said Jarren Duran will lead off and Ceddanne Rafaela will bat second against Schlittler. Duran didn't start the first game of Boston's series against New York, but when he returned to the lineup on April 22, he contributed three hits, including two doubles, and an RBI. Payton Tolle will get the start for the Red Sox after they pushed Brayan Bello and Garrett Crochet back to give them some extra rest.
If the Red Sox are lucky, Anthony will need only one more absence to heal his sore back and avoid an injured list stint. In order for Boston to play its best, it needs Anthony in the lineup and hitting well, and he was seemingly just starting to turn the corner.
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