Roman Anthony (finger) making gradual progress

After a lengthy stint on the injured list and a minor league rehab assignment, the 22-year-old outfielder is finally ready to rejoin the Red Sox lineup. Before landing on the injured list on May 4, Anthony was slashing .229/.354/.321 with just one homer, five RBI and a pair of stolen bases through his first 130 plate appearances on the season.

Both players were pulled early from their final minor league rehab game at Triple-A Worcester on Saturday and are on their way to join up with the Red Sox. Anthony, 22, hasn’t played in an MLB game since May 4. He and Story should provide a major boost to the Red Sox’ offense in the month of September.

There was some social media chatter late Friday that Anthony and Trevor Story (abdomen) would potentially return for Saturday’s doubleheader against the Yankees. That isn’t happening. There’s a chance that the pair return for Sunday’s series finale in New York based on comments from interim manager Chad Tracy on Friday, but that decision won’t be made until after Saturday’s twin bill. There’s understandably plenty of excitement to see Anthony back in Boston’s lineup, but they obviously want to make sure he’s 100 percent ready before bringing him back, especially since he hasn’t played in the big leagues since May 4.

Both are slated to play in games for Triple-A Worcester on Saturday, so they won’t be back for Boston’s doubleheader against the Yankees. Anthony is 4-for-12 with a homer in three games for Worcester after going 3-for-14 with a homer in four games for Double-A Portland.

Anthony had mentioned on Tuesday that the plan was for him to play nine innings in the outfield on Wednesday. If he can do that today, he could be active on Friday for the beginning of the series against the Yankees in New York. The former top prospect in baseball hasn’t played in an MLB game since May 4th and would be a major boost to this Red Sox lineup.

He’s ready. Anthony demolished a no-doubter to right-center field in the seventh inning just a few hours after telling reporters that he thinks there’s a chance he’s back from the injured list for Friday’s series opener against the Yankees. The 22-year-old’s return would provide a definite spark for the Red Sox as they make their playoff push in the closing months of the season.

Now that would be fun. Anthony is expected to wrap up a minor league rehab assignment with a couple games for Triple-A Worcester this week. The 22-year-old phenom possesses the talent to be a real difference-maker for the Red Sox over the final month of the season. Barring an unexpected development, it sounds like there’s a strong possibility Anthony is back later this week. He should be stashed in all fantasy leagues at this juncture.

Anthony began his rehab assignment last week with Double-A Portland, and there was a thought that he would quickly rejoin the Red Sox, but it seems that won’t be the case. The Red Sox will be in Miami at the beginning of the week, but will come back to New York on Friday to play the Yankees. Anthony will be in Worcester at the time, playing against the Yankees Triple-A club, so he could easily meet the team in New York if they think he’s ready.

Anthony has gone 3-for-5 with a pair of extra-base hits in two rehab games since kicking off a rehab assignment earlier this week. The 22-year-old phenom hasn’t progressed to playing in the outfield yet, but that figures to be coming in the near future. He’s on track to help the Red Sox during their impending playoff push and is certainly talented enough to make a big impact for fantasy managers. He’s a worthwhile stash candidate in any fantasy leagues where a frustrated manager decided to cut bait earlier this year.

The Red Sox want to ease Anthony back into action, so he’s resting today after going 2-for-2 with a homer and two walks in his first rehab game Tuesday. He’s slated to play left field on Thursday and then DH on Friday.