Roman Anthony (finger) making gradual progress

Normally, we’d be happy that a player doesn’t require surgery; however, Anthony took three months to rest his hand this season and then reaggravated his injury during the final game of the regular season. Hopefully the longer layoff in the offseason will produce more healing, but this will certainly cloud his outlook heading into 2027. If Anthony does return healthy and is able to play a full season for the Red Sox, he could be one of the bigger bargains in fantasy baseball next year.

Tracy added that Anthony underwent an MRI that revealed new strains to different muscles in his right hand and wrist in addition to re-aggravating his previous finger-related issue. The 22-year-old made an early exit from Tuesday’s AL Wild Card Series opener and won’t be available for the Division Series, if Boston somehow manages to rally. The greater concern here is whether Anthony will require surgery, which would put his status for the outset of next season in serious jeopardy. It’s a disappointing development after Anthony missed most of the season with a finger injury. There should be additional clarity on his status in the coming days.

This always seemed likely after the 22-year-old reaggravated a hand injury on a check swing on Sunday and then further hurt it in Game 1 on Tuesday. Nate Eaton will start in left field and bat ninth against left-hander Max Fried, but now the bigger question will be whether or not the Red Sox request permission to replace Anthony on their roster for the postseason.

Anthony left Tuesday’s game in the 6th inning after he reaggravated a hand injury that cost him three months earlier this season. What’s more troubling is that Alex Speier of the Boston Globe reported that the “issue predated the game” and that Andruw Monasterio “said he was notified prior to the game that he might have to replace Anthony due to the discomfort in his hand.” Red Sox manager Chad Tracy also said after the game that Anthony had been feeling some discomfort in the month since he returned from the injured list. All signs point to the 22-year-old no longer being an option for Boston this postseason. According to MLB rules, “A club may request permission from the Commissioner’s Office to replace a player who is injured during the course of a series, but that player is then ineligible for the rest of that round and the subsequent round.” The Red Sox may have to decide on that shortly.

That was the easy guess, unfortunately. Anthony, who missed much of the year after suffering a partial tendon tear in his right ring finger in May, might have originally aggravated things during Sunday’s game. It’s unclear if he’ll be an option Wednesday, but really, the bigger concern at this point might be 2027 and beyond.

It’s a bit unclear whether Anthony is actually injured, but he was lifted for a pinch-hitter in the sixth inning after striking out twice against Yankees ace Cam Schlittler to open the contest. It’s worth noting that he looked a bit uncomfortable on an awkward swing during Sunday’s regular-season finale against the Cubs at Tropicana Field. There should be an update on his status following the contest.

Contreras is at first base and hitting third as Boston kicks off postseason play after missing eight of their final nine regular-season contests with a right hand injury. Here’s the full lineup set to battle Yankees ace Cam Schlittler: Roman Anthony (DH), Adley Rutschman (C), Contreras (1B), Wilyer Abreu (RF), Ceddanne Rafaela (CF), Nick Sogard (2B), Jarren Duran (LF), Trevor Story (SS) and Caleb Durbin (3B).

The win ensures that the Red Sox will get the fifth seed and face the Yankees in the Bronx in the Wild Card. It’s Anthony’s second time doubling twice and first time collecting three extra-base hits in a major league game. He’d struggled a bit the last two weeks, but he’s hit a fine .265/.321/.490 in 23 games since coming off the injured list at the end of last month.

There is a severe storm coming into the Northeast this weekend, but both the Cubs and Red Sox will likely need these final games for playoff seeding. The current plan is to play two games on Friday and then perhaps move Saturday’s game up to an early game before the weather gets really bad. If that schedule bears out, it would obviously impact the pitching matchups and would likely lead to many hitters sitting out at least one game with three games being played in such close succession. It’s a situation to monitor.

Anthony served as Boston’s primary offensive catalyst in a much-needed win at Tropicana Field by crushing a 438-foot homer off Rays starter Ian Seymour in the opening frame. He also supplied a two-run single in the ensuing frame to drive in three runs for the first time this season. The 22-year-old will head into the postseason as the Red Sox’ top-of-the-order table-setter and is probably going to have to be a difference-maker if they’re going to make a deep playoff push.