The Boston Red Sox have lost one of their brightest young stars for the rest of the postseason. Outfielder Roman Anthony will not play again this year after aggravating a hand injury in the wild-card series opener against the New York Yankees, manager Chad Tracy announced before Wednesday's Game 2.
Anthony, 22, was making his playoff debut on Tuesday, batting leadoff as the designated hitter. He struck out in both of his at-bats against Yankees ace Cam Schlittler and was lifted for a pinch hitter in the sixth inning of Boston's 9-0 loss. After the game he was driven from Yankee Stadium to Boston, where a Wednesday morning MRI revealed fresh trouble.
New damage to the wrist
"Additional damage to some muscles in his wrist that weren't there before," Tracy told reporters, describing the scan results. It is the same right hand that cost Anthony 101 games of the regular season — a partially torn tendon in a finger joint that kept him out from May 5 until his return on August 29. He had been limited to 55 games this season.
The Red Sox removed Anthony from the wild-card roster, which also makes him ineligible for the Division Series even if Boston rallies to win the series. Whether he needs surgery is still undecided. "As far as what treatment plans are in the future, haven't gotten there," Tracy said. "He's upset. Mentally going through it, he wants to be out there."
An unlikely replacement
Filling Anthony's roster spot is Curtis Mead, who has not played since fracturing his left wrist in his Red Sox debut on July 27, when he was hit by a pitch against the Athletics. Mead only faced live pitching for the first time on Tuesday — an accelerated return born of necessity. Meanwhile, Jahmai Jones hit leadoff as the DH in Wednesday's do-or-die Game 2. For Boston, the show must go on without its rookie sensation.
Sources:
- Red Sox lose key player but slugger makes wild return from injury to replace him
- Roman Anthony to miss rest of postseason with new wrist injury, may need surgery
- Red Sox lose Roman Anthony for wild-card series after 'additional damage' to wrist
Anthony, 22, was making his playoff debut on Tuesday, batting leadoff as the designated hitter. He struck out in both of his at-bats against Yankees ace Cam Schlittler and was lifted for a pinch hitter in the sixth inning of Boston's 9-0 loss. After the game he was driven from Yankee Stadium to Boston, where a Wednesday morning MRI revealed fresh trouble.
New damage to the wrist
"Additional damage to some muscles in his wrist that weren't there before," Tracy told reporters, describing the scan results. It is the same right hand that cost Anthony 101 games of the regular season — a partially torn tendon in a finger joint that kept him out from May 5 until his return on August 29. He had been limited to 55 games this season.
The Red Sox removed Anthony from the wild-card roster, which also makes him ineligible for the Division Series even if Boston rallies to win the series. Whether he needs surgery is still undecided. "As far as what treatment plans are in the future, haven't gotten there," Tracy said. "He's upset. Mentally going through it, he wants to be out there."
An unlikely replacement
Filling Anthony's roster spot is Curtis Mead, who has not played since fracturing his left wrist in his Red Sox debut on July 27, when he was hit by a pitch against the Athletics. Mead only faced live pitching for the first time on Tuesday — an accelerated return born of necessity. Meanwhile, Jahmai Jones hit leadoff as the DH in Wednesday's do-or-die Game 2. For Boston, the show must go on without its rookie sensation.
Sources:
- Red Sox lose key player but slugger makes wild return from injury to replace him
- Roman Anthony to miss rest of postseason with new wrist injury, may need surgery
- Red Sox lose Roman Anthony for wild-card series after 'additional damage' to wrist
