BOSTON — Roman Anthony, who graduated from his status as MLB’s No. 1 prospect to be a cornerstone for the Red Sox in his rookie season, left Tuesday’s game against the Guardians with left oblique tightness after striking out in the bottom of the fourth inning.
Anthony immediately grabbed at the lower, left side of his back after striking out on what seemed like an overly rotational swing for the second out of the frame.
Boston is already short-handed in the outfield with Wilyer Abreu in the midst of a longer-than-expected stint on the 10-day injured list with a right calf strain.
In fact, Anthony had been filling in for Abreu in right field. The left-handed-hitting Abreu was placed on the IL on Aug. 21, retroactive to Aug. 18. Prior to Tuesday’s game, Abreu still hadn’t been cleared to run at any level of intensity.
The 21-year-old Anthony has played in 71 games since his call-up on June 9 and has a slash line of .292/.396/.463 with 18 doubles, eight homers and 32 RBIs.
