Roman Anthony could potentially return this week for Red Sox 

Reinforcements are on the way for the Red Sox. 

Speaking after Sunday’s 5-4 win and subsequent series sweep over the Giants, Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy confirmed that Roman Anthony is inching closer to a return — with the star outfielder potentially cleared for big-league action at some point during Boston’s current seven-game road trip.

While Anthony won’t be activated during Boston’s current three-game set in Miami, Tracy acknowledged that Anthony is moving on to Triple-A Worcester this week after spending four games with Double-A Portland. 

Over his four games with Portland, Anthony went 3-for-11 with a double, two walks and a moonshot home run that sailed well out of Hadlock Field. 

Tracy initially noted that he wouldn’t “rule it out” when it came to Anthony potentially joining Boston down in Miami for the end of that series, However, a return during a pivotal four-game weekend series against the Yankees in The Bronx is a more realistic target for the outfielder.

Speaking ahead of Monday’s game against the Marlins, Tracy noted that Anthony will play at least two games with Worcester this week before the Red Sox gauge his availability and the next steps during their scheduled off day on Thursday.

Anthony has not played since May 4, with the 22-year-old outfielder hampered by a partially torn tendon in his right hand/wrist.

What was initially deemed just a “day-to-day” ailment for Anthony eventually became a 10-day IL stint — only for his expected return to be further delayed by several setbacks.

Anthony seems to have turned a corner over the last month, making multiple positive progressions since he started hitting off a tee earlier this month while rehabbing in Fort Myers. 

Anthony labored at the plate to open the 2026 season — slashing .229/.354/.321 with one home run and five RBI. He also missed several games during the first month of the season due to back tightness. 

But, as the Red Sox continue to surge in the second half, Anthony’s knack for getting on base and established hit tools will be a welcome addition atop Boston’s lineup for the stretch run.

“If he’s Roman — he can impact it in a very big way,” Tracy said earlier this month about Anthony’s impact atop Boston’s lineup. “You guys have seen him when he’s at his best, and even when he’s not. I mean, I made comments all the time about him in Worcester.

“Like, even when Roman’s not at his best, he finds his way to first base because he’s got a really keen eye at the plate. He understands what’s a strike, what’s a ball. So if he’s feeling good, he can make a significant impact.”

Elsewhere, both Trevor Story and Isiah Kiner-Falefa could return to the big-league roster in the coming days as well, with both infielders working their way back during rehab stints with Triple-A Worcester.

Tracy said on Sunday that both players would be evaluated by the team’s doctors on Monday in Boston and that additional decisions would then be made about their next steps.

On Monday evening, Tracy said that all three of Story, Anthony, and Kiner-Falefa will play in Worcester on Tuesday, with the Red Sox checking back in with Story after that game to see if he’s ready to join Boston’s roster.

“Trev will be there tomorrow,” Tracy said. “Izzy, Roman [are] going to play both days. Izzy will probably play some more games beyond that. We’re going to check in with Trevor again after [Tuesday]. But all three of those guys will be playing another rehab game tomorrow.”

Story hasn’t played since mid-May after undergoing sports hernia surgery, while Kiner-Falefa has been on the injured list since June 19 due to a stress reaction in his right forearm.

 

Conor Ryan is a staff writer covering the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox for Boston.com, a role he has held since 2023.