Roman Anthony’s status became a concern for the Boston Red Sox after the 22-year-old exited their 9-0 loss to the New York Yankees in Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Series.
Anthony left before his third plate appearance after showing discomfort in his right hand, which sidelined him for much of the season and forced him to miss 107 games.
Red Sox manager Chad Tracy said after the game that the issue resurfaced on Anthony’s check swings.
“The hand,” Tracy 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.”
Anthony was seen flexing his right wrist after his first-inning strikeout but remained in for another at-bat. Andruw Monasterio pinch-hit for him in the sixth.
Following the Game 1 loss, Tracy said that Boston didn’t know whether Anthony would be available for Game 2.
“He’s obviously coming off that [initial injury],” Tracy said. “With that, you’ll get a zinger every once in a while where you feel something, it’s fine, it goes away. But today it was obviously coming out of the game. Today some stuff happened that was more serious and was uncomfortable.”
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The Red Sox announced Wednesday afternoon that Anthony won’t be available for Game 2. Boston decided to keep Anthony out of its Wild Card roster for Game 2, a must-win affair for the Red Sox. Jahmai Jones will replace Anthony in the leadoff spot as the designated hitter on Wednesday.
Anthony appeared in only 55 games this season after a partially torn tendon in his right ring finger kept him out from May 5 until Aug. 30. The outfielder hit .245/.339/.396 with five home runs and 15 RBIs.
Boston faces elimination after Yankees starter Cam Schlittler threw 6.1 scoreless innings with 10 strikeouts in Game 1, with Max Fried scheduled to start for New York and Sonny Gray for Boston in Game 2 at 8 p.m. ET.
