RED SOX’S ROMAN ANTHONY STILL RECOVERING FROM WRIST SPRAIN; TIMELINE FOR RETURN UNCLEAR
BOSTON, MA — Roman Anthony, the 22-year-old left fielder for the Boston Red Sox, is still recovering from the wrist sprain he sustained on May 4 during a game against the Detroit Tigers. Anthony, who celebrated his birthday on Wednesday, remains sidelined and has not participated in any baseball activities since his injury. He has not swung a bat or thrown, and remains on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to May 5.
Despite the injury, there’s a positive sign in Anthony’s recovery process. Interim manager Chad Tracy confirmed that while Anthony isn’t yet able to participate in baseball activities, he is staying active in other ways. “He’s out running some outfield routes and kind of like quarterback routes,” Tracy said before the Red Sox’s Wednesday game against the Philadelphia Phillies. “Moving around to keep his legs moving. But nothing yet extra with the hand.”
The Red Sox initially hoped that Anthony’s wrist injury wouldn’t be serious, labeling him as “day to day” and optimistic that he wouldn’t need to be placed on the injured list. However, as the days go on and Anthony is still unable to take part in baseball activities, it seems that his return timeline is starting to stretch beyond what was originally expected.
EXPECTED RETURN DATE NOW IN QUESTION
When Anthony was first placed on the injured list, he expressed confidence that he would be ready to return as soon as he was eligible on May 15. However, with no significant progress in his ability to resume baseball activities, that timeline now seems increasingly unlikely.
Tracy, when asked whether the injury was dragging on longer than initially expected, was cautious in his response, not yet willing to say that the recovery had taken longer than anticipated. “I wouldn’t say that’s the case yet,” Tracy said. “He’s still two or three days away from even eligibility. So I don’t think it’s fair to say that. We haven’t even gotten to the end of the 10-day stint yet. So we’re just gonna keep playing it along and see how quickly it gets better.”
The Red Sox will continue to evaluate Anthony’s recovery over the next few days, especially as they approach the end of his 10-day injured list stint. However, with no definitive timeline for when he’ll be able to return to full baseball activities, the team remains cautious with their expectations.
ANTHONY’S SEASON: STRUGGLES BUT SPARKLING PROMISE
Although Anthony has struggled in the early part of the 2026 season, posting a .229 batting average with a .354 on-base percentage, .321 slugging percentage, and a .675 OPS in 130 plate appearances, there were signs of promise before his injury. In his first 13 at-bats in May, he managed five hits, showing glimpses of his potential at the plate.
This season marks an important developmental phase for Anthony, who has shown flashes of his skills but also faced the typical growing pains of adjusting to Major League Baseball. As he works his way back from this injury, the Red Sox hope to see more of the offensive consistency that he demonstrated earlier in his career.
THE IMPACT OF ANTHONY’S INJURY ON THE RED SOX
The Red Sox have had an up-and-down season so far, with injuries impacting their lineup. Anthony’s absence is another challenge the team faces as they look to stay competitive in the AL East. His injury has left the team without a key outfield contributor and further thinned their depth at the position.
With Anthony on the mend, the Red Sox will need to find a way to fill the gap in left field and keep their offense rolling. While the team has shown promise offensively in stretches, they will need players like Anthony to stay healthy and contribute if they hope to make a strong push for the postseason.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR ROMAN ANTHONY?
As the Red Sox await Anthony’s return, the focus will remain on his recovery. The team is hoping that the wrist soreness will subside in the coming days, and that the 22-year-old outfielder can resume baseball activities soon.
In the meantime, the Red Sox will continue to evaluate their options in left field and look to keep the offense ticking while Anthony is sidelined. Chad Tracy and the rest of the staff will likely monitor the young outfielder’s progress closely, hoping for a smooth recovery as the Red Sox continue their season.
As it stands, Anthony’s return date remains uncertain, but the Red Sox are hopeful that he can be back on the field soon — and contribute to what could be a pivotal second half of the season.
What do you think? How will the Red Sox manage without Roman Anthony? Will his injury impact the team’s playoff hopes? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
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