The extended rehab stint continues a process that has surpassed early expectations, with Boston projecting no firm date for when its $130 million outfielder will rejoin the major league lineup.
Iggy Suarez, acting manager for the WooSox, confirmed on Friday that Anthony, along with Trevor Story and Isiah Kiner-Falefa, will be in Worcester on Saturday rather than traveling to the Bronx. That sets the earliest return for Sunday or Monday’s Fenway Park opener against the Seattle Mariners.
No firm return date for Roman Anthony
Anthony has not appeared in a major league game since May 4 in Detroit, when a check-swing led to a wrist-related injury initially described as a right wrist sprain. Doctors later revised the diagnosis to a partial tear of a ligament in his right ring finger, an injury described by an orthopedist as essentially unprecedented in 32 years of practice.
Boston moved Anthony from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day version on June 28 to free a roster spot. He faced multiple setbacks while attempting to resume swinging in late May and was not pain-free during swings until late July. This delayed his rehab, sending him to Double-A Portland on August 18 before he advanced to Worcester a week later.
In seven rehab games, Anthony has hit .304 with two doubles, two home runs, and seven RBIs. He debuted for Worcester on Aug. 25, delivering a two-run homer with an exit velocity reported above 106 mph.
Anthony has been outspoken about the lengthy recovery
Anthony has acknowledged his frustration with the pace of his recovery. “I did everything I could,” he said earlier this week, noting that multiple doctors told him the injury would take about three months, and that the process ended up lasting around that timeframe.
Current lineup and context
The Red Sox enter the series with the Yankees still vying for an American League playoff spot, and each day without Anthony’s bat leaves the outfield configuration unsettled as September approaches. The upcoming homestand against Seattle is shaping up as the most likely stage for his season debut, provided no additional setbacks arise.
Anthony’s background and contract context
The 22-year-old signed an eight-year, $130 million extension in August 2025 after a rookie season in which he hit .292 with eight home runs across 71 games before an oblique strain ended his year in September. This marks his first extended injury absence, and the team has not provided a definitive date for a return beyond excluding him from the first three games of the four-game Yankees series.
Rehab experience and perspective
Anthony has described the Florida rehab stint as isolating, noting that being back with the team, even in the minors, helped him appreciate returning to the major leagues. He is looking forward to rejoining a big-league game as soon as possible.
Team and lineup notes
– The Red Sox continue to assess their lineup and outfield arrangements while Anthony rehabs.
– The Yankees’ starting lineup and matchups for the series are part of the broader game-day context and rest of club information.
