It was a bittersweet Tuesday when the Red Sox completed an 11-7 victory over the Guardians but finished out the game without the young, shining talent that is Roman Anthony.
He left in the sevening inning after striking out and showing visible discomfort. An MRI Wednesday showed an oblique strain that will keep him out of action for the rest of the regular season (and is expected to stretch into the playoffs).
Anthony has been electric, posting 3.1 bWAR this season in just 71 games. He’s hitting .292 and finding his power stroke lately, too, sending eight long balls to complement a host of other impressive statistics both in the box and the grass.
But Anthony’s initial comments about this setback have had fans fearing the worst. After losing Marcelo Mayer to a wrist injury and Kristian Campbell to a lengthy demotion back to Triple-A, the “Big Three” it seems aren’t faring so well down the stretch — even as Anthony has made a significant case for himself to be named AL rookie of the year.
Alex Cora's message to the Red Sox after the Roman Anthony injury: "Keep going. Just like we did after Casas, we did after the trade, we keep going. At one point, he's gonna be part of this, so just gotta be patient, but keep pitching, keep putting good at bats, keep playing." pic.twitter.com/5xVc7X0Rdw
— Red Sox on CLNS (@RedSoxCLNS) September 3, 2025
Roman Anthony Injury: Red Sox fans hoping for the best with playoff return
Anthony has been upbeat about the situation, highlighting his frustration with an inability to contribute to the team. Instead of feeling sorry for himself, he has risen to the occasion and taken the opportunity to influence the team in the clubhouse. Anthony is the team’s big star playing on a significantly long-term contract. He’ll presumably be the face of the Red Sox long into the future, and his comments after learning the extent of the setback only cement his legend.
On Wednesday he told the media: “I was just trying to stay as positive as I can and hope for the best. But it’s all sorts of pain when you hear you can’t play for a certain period of time. For me, that’s what I live for, that’s what I like showing up in uniform for every day, to help this team, and help this city, and try to get in the playoffs and win a World Series.”
A lesser player might throw in the towel on the season. Anthony won’t be back in action likely until a presumed ALCS appearance. As it stands now, that means beating the Yankees in the Wild Card round — possibly in the Bronx — and then downing Toronto. Boston’s path to the ALCS looks to be a gauntlet, to say the least, and without the star right fielder in action it becomes even more challenging.
There are already comparisons being drawn between Anthony and Ted Williams. Both players rose up into the Boston lineup at young ages, and Anthony looks to be a team-centered personality that shows up for his guys and his community every day, like Williams before him. Anthony continues to show the fanbase that he’s the real deal, both on and off the field.
He clearly anticipates a deep playoff run, and is already envisioning and preparing for the contributions he can make to keep those dreams alive.