Roman Anthony, the Red Sox’s prized 22-year-old, got yanked from their AL Wild Card Series Game 1 loss against the Yankees early on Tuesday night, and yep, it was that same nagging hand and finger injury that has already cost him 101 games this season. His locker was vacant, just like his spot on the field, and it’s got everyone wondering what the heck is going on.
This Hand Is Relentless: A Season Derailing Nightmare
This isn’t just a bump or a bruise, folks. We’re talking about Anthony’s right hand, which has been bugging him all season long in what was supposed to be his big second year in the majors. It’s a partial tendon and ligament tear, and honestly, it’s been such a persistent issue that some within baseball circles were even questioning his toughness. You hate to hear that about a young guy.
Red Sox manager Chad Tracy sounded totally deflated after the 9-0 drubbing, talking about Anthony’s hand in a low tone. “The hand,” he said. “He took a check swing and then another swing and his hand flared on him. And it got uncomfortable, so we had to make a move there.” Boston never expected him to miss so much time, but the injury just never responded. Not to treatment, not to the swing that made him one of the best young players in the game. They even tried a change of scenery, sending him to Fort Myers, Florida, in early July for rehab at their spring training complex. Did it help? Nope. The hand kept bugging him.
The Yankees Crushed Them 9-0, But Anthony’s Absence Wasn’t The Problem
Game 1 of this best-of-three AL Wild Card Series was a brutal 9-0 drubbing by the Yankees. Ouch. Anthony was pulled in the top of the sixth inning when the Red Sox were only trailing 2-0. Andruw Monasterio stepped in for him.
Here’s the wild part: Anthony’s absence wasn’t even the difference-maker late in that game. Yankees pitcher Cam Schlittler was just absolutely lights out, silencing Boston’s offense all by himself. That dude, who grew up cheering for the Yankees, pitched 6 ⅓ dominant innings, racking up 10 strikeouts and inducing 24 whiffs with his three variations of the fastball. Talk about a show-stopper! The Red Sox actually ripped off a 15-game winning streak without Anthony at one point, proving they could win. But deep down, they knew there would come a point when they’d truly need him. And that moment arrived Tuesday.
What’s Next For Anthony And The Red Sox In This Wild Card Fight?
Manager Tracy summed it up perfectly: “It’s difficult. Obviously, it flares up on him and becomes uncomfortable, and you have to make a move there. So we’ll see what the next steps are, but yeah, it was difficult.”
Now, the series is 0-1, and the Red Sox need to turn it around FAST. The biggest question isn’t even about how they’re going to score against Schlittler again, or how they bounce back from a 9-0 thumping. It’s about Roman Anthony’s hand. What are these “next steps” for a partial tendon and ligament tear that has already cost him 101 games and hasn’t responded to anything? This best-of-three Wild Card Series just got a whole lot tougher for the Red Sox, and the biggest cloud hanging over them isn’t from the Yankees. It’s that damn hand.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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