BOSTON -- Roman Anthony, who graduated from his status as MLB’s No. 1 prospect to be a cornerstone for the Red Sox in his rookie season, was diagnosed with a left oblique strain that has put his availability for the remainder of the regular season in doubt.
The 21-year-old was placed on the 10-day injured list prior to Wednesday’s 8-1 loss to the Guardians at Fenway Park. Utility infielder/outfielder NIck Sogard replaced him on the roster.
Anthony had an MRI on Wednesday morning and told reporters he believes he suffered a Grade 2 strain.
Though the Red Sox didn’t give a precise timetable for Anthony to be out of action, manager Alex Cora said that four to six weeks is typical for this injury.
“Everyone heals differently, so I’m going to do everything I can every day to try and get back out there as fast as I can, but it's impossible to say,” said Anthony.
Going by the four-to-six week time-table, best-case scenario would have Anthony returning for the postseason.
Of course, the longer the Red Sox are playing this season increases the chances that Anthony will have enough healing time to return to action. Boston entered Thursday at 78-62, trailing the Blue Jays by 2 1/2 games in the American League East and tied with the Yankees for the top Wild Card spot.
By finishing as one of the top two seeds in the AL, the Sox could bypass the Wild Card round and start the postseason in a Division Series on Oct. 4. The AL Championship Series has a start date of Oct. 12 with the World Series slated to open on Oct. 24.
“I told him to envision [stepping in for] ALCS, first at-bat. That's what I told him,” Cora said. “Just put that goal in your mind and hopefully that happens.”
While upset about the injury, and, in particular, the timing of it, Anthony vowed to put everything he can into his recovery so he can be back as soon as possible.
“Yeah, that's the plan. I think everyone here is on the same page. And as a team, we believe that we're a World Series caliber team, and we certainly believe it in this clubhouse,” Anthony said. “And we're going to continue to believe it, regardless of who we have or don't have. I'm gonna continue to support these guys and do everything I can to be the best teammate I can and hopefully get back and help this team win a World Series.”
Anthony first felt something in his oblique on a check swing in the fourth inning of Tuesday’s eventual 11-7 win over the Guardians. He struck out with a full swing on the next pitch and immediately grabbed at his lower, left side.
Oblique injuries can be tricky, particularly if you try to come back too soon. The Red Sox will be mindful of that as they support Anthony during his recovery.
“We’ve got to take care of the player and the team is secondary,” said Cora. “First things first is getting him healthy. And if he's ready to go, he’s ready to go, if not, then we have to keep going ourselves.”
Boston is already short-handed in the outfield with Wilyer Abreu in the midst of a longer-than-expected stint on the 10-day injured list with a right calf strain.
“He felt like there was progress this weekend with the way they treated him and obviously avoiding running,” said Cora. “So we'll see. You know, we just have to wait. I don't know when we're going to try [to have him run], but hopefully soon. We don't want to rush him into it. Especially right now. The two injuries are separate. We don't want to rush Wily because Roman is hurt. We have to be patient because he's really important too. So whenever he’s ready, he’ll be back.”
During Anthony’s absence, Jarren Duran will return to the leadoff spot against righties. Duran has most often batted third against righties since Anthony’s move to leadoff in late July. Against lefties, Cora will mix and match. The right-handed hitting Nate Eaton batted first on Wednesday.
With Anthony out indefinitely, the Sox will rely even more heavily on the veteran presence of third baseman Alex Bregman and shortstop Trevor Story.
“Obviously, it's a gut punch to lose one of the best players in the world, but we’ve got to keep focus on the next pitch, continue to battle, and hope he gets back sometime in the postseason or whenever that may be, or I don't know, maybe at the end of the [regular season],” said Bregman. .
Anthony has played in 71 games since his call-up on June 9 and has a slash line of .292/.396/.463 with 18 doubles, eight homers and 32 RBIs.