It was supposed to be the year Roman Anthony cemented himself as the face of the Red Sox lineup. Instead, he’s been watching from the dugout since May 4, and there’s no clear end in sight.
The 23-year-old slugger, who sparked Boston’s Wild Card run last season after being called up from Triple-A Worcester, has been sidelined with a wrist injury that just won’t cooperate. And with the Red Sox stuck in last place in the American League East, the timing couldn’t be worse.
Anthony spoke with reporters before Saturday’s game against the Texas Rangers and didn’t sugarcoat where things stand. What was initially expected to be a brief absence has turned into a six-week ordeal, and the recovery is moving slower than anyone hoped.
“Progressing a lot slower than I had imagined in the beginning of this but definitely progressing, which is the biggest thing,” Anthony said. “It’s just pain in my hand. That’s what it was until it’s not that, I’ll be here. But as soon as it feels like it starts to get a whole lot better, I’m sure we’ll have a better idea of where we’re at and how it’s going to go from there.”
A lineup missing its engine
Statistically, Boston’s pitching has been competitive. The rotation and bullpen have kept games close, giving the offense chances to win. But chances don’t matter if you can’t cash them in. The Red Sox rank near the bottom of the league in runs scored with runners in scoring position, and that’s where Anthony’s absence hits hardest.
Last season, Anthony was the guy who made pitchers pay for mistakes. He hit .291 with an .846 OPS after his call-up, often delivering in high-leverage spots. Without him, the middle of the order lacks a consistent threat. Teams are pitching around Rafael Devers more aggressively, and the supporting cast hasn’t stepped up consistently enough.
What’s next for Anthony and the Red Sox
The team has not offered a revised timeline for his return. Anthony’s language — “pain in my hand” — suggests the wrist hasn’t responded to rest and rehab the way the medical staff anticipated. For a player whose swing generates power through wrist snap and extension, any lingering pain is a red flag.
Boston’s front office faces a difficult decision: rush their young star back and risk aggravating the injury, or let him heal fully and accept that this season might be a lost cause. The fan base is growing restless, and the trade deadline chatter is starting to swirl. Some online observers have pointed out that if the Red Sox fall further back in the standings, they could become sellers — a scenario that seemed unthinkable when Anthony was slashing doubles into the gap last October.
For now, Anthony is left to describe his progress in frustrating increments: not worse, but not better fast enough. The Red Sox need a jolt, and their best hitter is stuck waiting for a wrist to forgive him.
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