Boston Red Sox
“For me, it was frustrating, and I started to feel good in the box. Started to really settle in.”
Roman Anthony could return on May 15. Finn Gomez for The Boston Globe
The Red Sox are going to be without outfielder Roman Anthony for at least another week.
Boston announced on Thursday that Anthony was going on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to Tuesday) due to a right hand sprain that he initially suffered on Monday against the Tigers.
In a subsequent move, the Red Sox recalled Mickey Gasper from Triple-A Worcester to account for Anthony’s roster spot — while Masataka Yoshida is expected to earn the lion’s share of Anthony’s at-bats in Boston’s lineup.
Despite the setback, Anthony told reporters on Thursday that he intends to be back as soon as he’s eligible to come off the IL, which would be on May 15.
“For me, where I stand right now, how it’s gone on and the way it’s felt over the last few days, when the IL stint is over, I plan to be in that game the next day,” Anthony told MLB.com’s Ian Browne.
Anthony suffered the injury during Monday’s 5-4 win over the Tigers at Comerica Park. Facing Detroit pitcher Tyler Holton, Anthony fouled off a pitch on a check swing and flexed his right hand in discomfort.
After speaking with Red Sox interim manager Tracy and head athletic trainer Brandon Henry, Anthony took a few practice swings before staying in the game. He was eventually pulled from the game in the second inning, with Yoshida replacing him in left field.
Tracy noted on Tuesday that Anthony was “day to day” and might avoid an IL stint, but that sentiment changed once Boston returned to Fenway Park for the start of a four-game series against the Rays.
While the injury was initially deemed a wrist sprain, Anthony clarified on Thursday that it’s a sprained ligament under his right ring finger — an injury that isn’t expected to linger once it properly heals.
“There’s so much that goes on in the hand, and I’ve never dealt with a hand issue before,” Anthony told Browne. “So, I think just getting the news back, understanding that it’s nothing very serious, is the best news we could have gotten.
“The treatment is pretty simple, trying to get a lot of blood flow circulating around the wrist and the arm. Nothing too crazy. Just a little sprain. The ligament near the ring finger. Nothing that will take too long. So, I think that’s the best part.”
Anthony has been hindered by several bumps and bruises so far in 2026, with the talented outfielder also missing four games last month due to a nagging back issue.
In 30 games so far with the Red Sox this season, Anthony is slashing .229/.354/.321 with one home run and five RBI.
“As you would expect, I’d like to be there with the guys,” Anthony said. “I’m happy that they got the job done in Detroit, got a great sweep. I think the team, we look great.
“For me, it was frustrating, and I started to feel good in the box. Started to really settle in. And never want things like that to happen, but it’s part of it. So, just got to get better as best I can, and do what I can to get back out there with the guys.”
Conor Ryan is a staff writer covering the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox for Boston.com, a role he has held since 2023.
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