The lasting image from the 2023 World Baseball Classic was Shohei Ohtani striking out then-Angels teammate Mike Trout to slam the door on Team USA, securing a 3–2 victory for Team Japan.
The final out of the WBC was baseball cinema, ending what was arguably the greatest version of the tournament since its inception in 2006. Now, fast forward three years later: the Red Sox are well represented in the event, with Roman Anthony the latest Boston player added to Team USA, replacing Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll, who suffered a broken hamate bone that will sideline him for several weeks.
“It’s something you dream of as a kid,” Anthony said Monday in Fort Myers. “Obviously it’s super unfortunate what happened (to Carroll), and I’m hoping for the best for him, but it was exciting on my end to get that call.”
Anthony will not be teammates with Trout on Team USA — the oft-injured Angels star will not take part in the tournament. Anthony joins a loaded roster that includes Aaron Judge, Bobby Witt Jr., Cal Raleigh, former Red Sox third baseman Alex Bregman, back-to-back American League Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal, reigning National League Cy Young winner Paul Skenes, and fellow Boston teammate Garrett Whitlock, among others.
“It’s amazing,” Anthony said. “Getting to be around the game’s best and so many veteran guys who have done it for a long time — it’ll be a great learning experience. But at the same time, there’s a goal. We’re trying to win.”
For the 21-year-old, it’s a full-circle moment. He was in the stands during the 2023 tournament, and now he’ll be on the field.
“Getting to represent the USA at any time would be more than a blessing,” Anthony said after workouts at JetBlue Park. “I don’t know if I necessarily thought it would be this time around, but I’m just excited to do it.”
Like many players his age, Anthony grew up captivated by the intensity of the WBC, including the dramatic 2023 final between Ohtani and Trout.
“The passion and the energy around it was so much different than any other baseball game I’ve been to,” Anthony said. “That was a good one to go to if you’re a baseball fan. Kind of a storybook ending there with Shohei and Trout.”
Anthony received confirmation Sunday via text that he had passed his physical and was officially on the roster.
“It’s one of those calls that pops up and you just light up,” he said. “To even be considered with that group of guys is a blessing.”
Bregman, who left Boston for the Cubs this January, reached out quickly after the news.
“He reached out when it happened,” Anthony said. “We talked over the phone. He just wanted to check in. It’ll be a great opportunity to take the field with him again.”
Trout will miss the WBC after being unable to secure the insurance needed to participate. The 34-year-old has dealt with significant injuries over the last five seasons and, without coverage, would have risked the $35 million salary he is set to earn in 2026 with the Angels.
“I did want to play in the WBC,” Trout said Monday. “It was a few things — obviously insurance was the biggest hurdle I was trying to get through. It’s disappointing. I wanted to run it back with all the guys.”
Zachary BonDurant-Imagn Images
Mar 12, 2023; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Team USA outfielder Mike Trout (27) at the plate against Team Mexico at Chase Field.
Trout performed well in the 2023 WBC, posting a .962 OPS with three home runs and seven RBIs in seven games.
“They’re stacked,” Trout said. “I think it’s good for baseball to see the big guys do it. It was kind of up in the air with guys not wanting to do it. Then they saw how exciting it was. The experience is unbelievable. It’s something you don’t want to miss.”
Trout was labeled “Captain America” during the last WBC and now passes the torch to Anthony, who has quickly cemented himself as a rising star for the Red Sox since his big-league call-up on June 9. Anthony hit just .114 with a .518 OPS in his first 15 games before tearing the cover off the ball, batting .329 with a .931 OPS over his final 56 games. His rookie year came to an abrupt end due to an oblique injury that forced him to miss the final month of the season and the American League Wild Card round against the Yankees.
His appearance in the WBC will likely be the first of many. Anthony now gets the chance to showcase his talents on a global stage before returning to camp as the Red Sox prepare for Opening Day in Cincinnati.
Jarren Duran to Play RF in WBC
Anthony won’t be the only Red Sox player participating in the World Baseball Classic. Fellow outfielder Jarren Duran will represent Team Mexico for the second time in his career.
When Duran takes the field for Mexico, he will be playing right field instead of his usual left field. He learned from Alex Cora that he will begin preparing for right field with Boston ahead of the tournament.
“(Cora) came up to me today and said you’re going to play right field in the WBC, so let’s get you ready for that,” Duran said.
Cora made it clear that the move is about preparation and not about displacing two-time Gold Glove winner Wilyer Abreu, who will represent Team Venezuela.
“We’ve got the best defender in the big leagues,” Cora said. “Of course we’ll need somebody else because we’ll need to give him some days, but we’ll see where we’re at. Roman played great in right field last year too.”
Duran primarily played left and center field last season — 139 games in left, 28 in center, and just two in right.
“Hopefully we can get him in games playing that position,” Cora said. “Get him ready because it’s fair for the player, fair for the federation and fair for us. If he’s going to play right field, he better be ready.”
Trade rumors followed Duran all offseason, but he blocked out the noise.
“I never look at that stuff,” Duran said. “My parents look at it enough for me. They text me and go, ‘Did you get traded?’ I’m like, ‘Do you really think I’m not going to let you know?’ I never give it any two cents. It’s in God’s hands.”
Duran hit .256 with a .774 OPS last season — solid production, but not quite his 2024 All-Star level.
“I’m always disappointed in myself,” he said. “It’s a new year. You flush it and go do your thing.”
Red Sox pitcher Tanner Houck threw a baseball Monday for the first time since undergoing Tommy John surgery on Aug. 18.
“My whole goal is to be back in September,” Houck said.
Houck struggled through nine starts last season with an 8.04 ERA before landing on the injured list. He later underwent hybrid UCL reconstruction with flexor tendon repair.
“I can have my goal, but if God has a different plan, I’ll adjust,” he said.
According to reports from down in Fort Myers, Houck made 25 throws at 45 feet on Monday and is scheduled to do so three times a week on a slow progression, increasing distance and number of throws each week.
“Been looking forward to this day for a while,” he said. “Exciting first day.”
Houck isn’t the only pitcher pushing to get back to game action with the Red Sox. Patrick Sandoval threw a live batting practice on Friday for the first time since his Tommy John surgery in June 2024. The left-hander told reporters after the session he felt good.
Sandoval will throw a bullpen on Tuesday followed by another live BP on Friday. The Sox will ramp it up for Sandoval, having him throw 25 pitches, 10 more from last week.
It’s not clear what Sandoval’s role will be for the Red Sox but will ramp up and compete for a spot on the pitching staff.
“I wouldn’t say I have any set role here, and I’m happy to compete for a job, that’s what we’re here for,” Sandoval said. “Especially with the guys we brought in and the room we have. It’s the best staff in the league, and I’m honored to be part of it and honored to compete for a spot.
“I’m a Red Sox, so I’ll do whatever they want me to do,” he continued, though he added that relief work “would definitely be an adjustment.”
Pitching Prospect Opening Eyes
Jake Bennett, the pitching prospect the Red Sox acquired from the Nationals in a rare prospect-for-prospect swap, is
