Red Sox Prospect Roman Anthony Exits Game 1 Against Yankees With Apparent Injury

Boston Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony was unexpectedly removed from Game 1 of the Wild Card Series against the New York Yankees in the top of the sixth inning on Tuesday, leading to concerns about a potential injury. Anthony was replaced by pinch hitter Andruw Monasterio after striking out in his first two plate appearances of the game.

During the NBC broadcast, former Red Sox infielder Lou Merloni commented on the substitution, stating, "That’s not a good sign." Anthony was observed flexing his right wrist in the dugout following his first-inning strikeout. He remained in the game for a second at-bat before his eventual removal.

Merloni also recalled an instance in Boston's regular-season finale against the Cubs where Anthony appeared to experience discomfort in his right hand. "There was a check swing [in Sunday’s game], where we weren’t sure what we were seeing," Merloni said. "It looked like he was shaking it out a little bit. Obviously, [he] hasn’t been right and there’s something going on with it."

The 22-year-old prospect's season has been hampered by injury. He previously missed 107 games after sustaining an injury initially reported as a wrist issue, which was later described as a ring finger ailment, and encountered several setbacks during his rehabilitation.

In 55 games played this season, Anthony recorded a .245 batting average with a .339 on-base percentage and a .396 slugging percentage, contributing five home runs and 15 RBIs. This performance fell short of expectations, particularly given Boston's significant investment in the player. The Red Sox had signed Anthony, regarded as one of baseball's top prospects, to a $130 million contract shortly after his Major League Baseball debut.