Boston Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony is officially out for the rest of the American League Wild Card playoff series against the New York Yankees. The 22-year-old suffered a recurring hand injury and new muscle damage during Tuesday’s 9-0 Game 1 loss at Yankee Stadium.
Red Sox manager Chad Tracy confirmed the diagnosis to reporters on Wednesday afternoon. He explained that extra medical testing revealed new issues in Anthony’s injured hand. Following Game 1, Anthony traveled back to Boston in the middle of the night for more imaging. The scans uncovered fresh muscle strains in his wrist that aggravated his previous injuries.
Severity of the Injury and Postseason Implications
Anthony’s latest setback involves the same right hand that sidelined him for over three months of the 2026 regular season. He tore a ligament in his right ring finger on a check swing on May 4 and missed 101 games before returning on August 29. The young outfielder reaggravated the injury while attempting to check his swing during Game 1 against Yankees pitcher Cam Schlittler.
Major League Baseball rules state that any player removed from a postseason series roster due to injury cannot play in the next series. The Red Sox submitted paperwork to replace Anthony on the roster for Game 2. Because of this, he cannot play in the ALDS even if Boston comes back to beat the Yankees.
“He was sent back last night after leaving the game. We sent him back to Boston for extra, additional imaging which actually revealed some new strains to different muscles in his wrist in addition to exasperating the old injuries. It’s not great,” Chad Tracy said.
Roster Replacement and Lineup Adjustments
Major League Baseball approved a postseason roster change on Wednesday evening, allowing infielder Curtis Mead to take Anthony’s spot. Mead had not played since suffering a fractured left wrist in his Red Sox debut on July 27, when an Athletics pitch struck him. Despite his long absence, Mead accelerated his rehab to join the team for Wednesday’s win-or-go-home Game 2.
With Anthony out, the Red Sox altered their batting order for the elimination game. Nate Eaton started in left field and batted ninth, while Jahmai Jones served as the designated hitter and leadoff batter against Yankees left-hander Max Fried.
Losing Anthony hurts a Red Sox offense fighting to stay in the postseason. Tracy noted the mental toll the injury has taken on the young player, who also missed the final month of the 2025 season with an oblique strain.
“It’s grinding on him, for sure,” Tracy said. “He’s upset. He wants to be out there with the guys. Obviously, everything he’s gone through this year, dealing with these different things, it’s tough for him.”
