Roman Anthony was out on the Fenway Park grass Sunday, catching balls off the Green Monster. Then, hours later, the Red Sox moved him to the 60-day injured list.
That disconnect sums up where things stand with the team’s top outfield prospect. He’s healthy enough to get some work in but not close to actually playing in a game.
Boston announced the move Sunday as part of a roster shuffle. Romy Gonzalez was activated from the 60-day IL after recovering from his own injury, and catcher Mickey Gasper was optioned to Triple-A Worcester. To clear a 40-man spot for Gonzalez, Anthony’s transfer to the 60-day IL was the corresponding move.
The timing is the weird part. Rob Bradford posted video of Anthony taking grounders and catching fly balls off the Monster earlier in the day. It’s not nothing. It shows he’s moving around, testing the wrist that’s kept him out since early May. But the 60-day IL move makes it official: he won’t be back anytime soon.
What’s Going On With the Wrist
Interim manager Chad Tracy told reporters Wednesday that Anthony hadn’t made any real progress. According to Tim Healy, Tracy said Anthony tried swinging a lighter bat but that was about it. Anthony himself admitted on June 13 that the recovery was dragging.
“It’s progressing, progressing a lot slower than I’d imagined at the beginning of this,” Anthony said, via Boston.com. “It’s just pain, that’s what it was, and until it’s not that I’ll be here.”
He added that as soon as the pain lets up, they’ll have a clearer picture of when he can return. Until then, it’s a waiting game.
Anthony hasn’t played since May 4. That’s a big gap for a 22-year-old who was supposed to be a key piece of the Red Sox outfield this season. The team hasn’t set a target date for his return, and the 60-day IL designation means he won’t be eligible until at least late August.
For now, fans are left with clips of him shagging fly balls and a roster transaction that says don’t hold your breath.
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