Boston Red Sox
Both Anthony and Story collected two hits apiece in Sunday’s loss to the Yankees.
For the first time since May, both Roman Anthony and Trevor Story were back in the Red Sox lineup.
Boston activated both Anthony and Story from the injured list before Sunday’s series finale against the New York Yankees, with both players in the lineup for that matinee matchup in the Bronx.
Anthony led off for Boston as the designated hitter, while Story batted eighth and played shortstop for the Red Sox. Their return didn’t sway Boston’s fortunes — as the Red Sox fell, 16-1, in a laugher.
But, both Anthony and Story were net positives on an afternoon where silver linings were hard to come by. Anthony went 2-for-4 with a ground-rule double, while Story went 2-for-3 with a double and run scored in the lopsided defeat.
To make space on the roster for both Anthony and Story, the Red Sox optioned Mickey Gasper and Anthony Seigler to Triple-A Worcester.
Speaking after Saturday’s doubleheader bill against New York, Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras stressed the impact of getting Anthony and Story back — while also saluting players like Gasper, Seiger, Nick Sogard, Andruw Monasterio, and others who held down the fort during that duo’s extended absence.
“I think it’s really important for us to get those guys back. We need them,” Contreras said of Anthony and Story, per MLB.com. “It’s also important to recognize the job or the work that the whole lineup has been putting in for the last three months. I think those are tough decisions to make.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen [Sunday], but we do have to recognize the job that the guys are doing for this team, and we couldn’t have done what we’ve done without them.”
Gasper was a force at the plate after getting recalled from Triple-A as Masataka Yoshida’s replacement at DH, batting .423 with three doubles, five home runs, and 12 RBI over 11 games.
Seigler batted .250 with three home runs, 12 doubles, and 13 RBIs over 48 games while emerging as a key clubhouse presence for Boston in the second half of the season.
While Gasper and Seigler stand as prime candidates to rejoin Boston’s roster once rosters expand next month, the return of Anthony and Story should give the Red Sox a boost down the stretch.
Anthony had been sidelined since May 4 with a right hand/wrist injury, while Story hasn’t played for Boston since May 14 after undergoing hernia surgery.
Anthony’s plate discipline should be welcomed atop the lineup, especially if he regains the form he showcased during his abbreviated rookie campaign (.292/.396/.463, eight home runs, 18 doubles, 32 RBI in 71 games). He is expected to earn reps at both DH and in left field for the remainder of this season.
The 22-year-old outfielder appeared in eight rehab games between Double-A Portland and Triple-A Worcester. He batted .280 with two home runs, two doubles, seven RBI.
Story had a tougher time down in the minors, batting .171 with three RBI and one double over 10 games, striking out 11 times in 35 total at-bats.
Story’s defense at shortstop should be an improvement over Monasterio, but it remains to be seen if the veteran can get anywhere close to the form he found at the plate in 2025 (.263 batting average, 25 home runs, 96 RBI).
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