The Boston Red Sox faced an unexpected challenge on Monday when outfielder Roman Anthony suffered a muscle tweak in his back just before their game against the Kansas City Royals. This last-minute injury forced the team to modify their lineup, giving Wilyer Abreu an unexpected start against a left-handed pitcher. Despite his typical difficulties hitting lefties, Abreu stood out by contributing two hits, a walk, a run scored, and an RBI, helping lead the Red Sox to victory.
Wilyer Abreu’s Performance Defies Odds Against Left-Handed Pitching
Abreu’s track record against left-handed pitching has been a concern this season, reflected in his .220 batting average in such matchups, but Monday’s game demonstrated his ability to step up in critical moments. While Abreu delivered, the team’s bigger worry centered on Anthony’s injury. Rookie Roman Anthony has been a vital player for Boston in recent weeks, maintaining a .283 batting average, a .400 on-base percentage, and a slugging percentage of .428 overall. His numbers over the last 25 games, which include a .348 average and .468 OBP, underscore his importance to the team’s success.
Manager Cora Maintains Hopeful Outlook on Anthony’s Recovery
Roman Anthony was unable to play in Tuesday’s game as he continued to recover from his back issue. Red Sox manager Alex Cora sought to reassure fans by downplaying the injury’s seriousness and suggesting Anthony was likely to return for the series finale on Wednesday. “He’s doing OK,” Cora said.
If I wanted to, he could have started. But stay away from him one more day.
The injury caught Anthony by surprise during a stretching session, and he quickly reported the discomfort to the team, which led to the cautious decision to rest him for at least one game.
Anthony expressed optimism about his recovery late Monday, stating,
I’ll get with the training staff and figure that out, but I’m already definitely trending in the right direction and feeling better than it was earlier,
highlighting his positive mindset as he works toward returning to the field.
Additional Roster Adjustments Reflect Team’s Strategy Amid Difficulties
Alongside managing Anthony’s injury, the Red Sox made a significant roster move by designating reliever Jorge Alcala for assignment. Despite Alcala’s strong throwing arm, with fastballs reaching 97 mph, inconsistent performance led to this decision. His overall ERA with Boston stood at 3.31, an improvement from his 8.88 mark with Minnesota, but after allowing three runs in just two-thirds of an inning on Monday, Cora’s trust in him diminished. If Alcala clears waivers, he could be sent to Worcester, but it is likely another team will claim him given his pitching arsenal.
Isaiah Campbell Called Up to Bolster the Bullpen
To fill the gap left by Alcala, the Red Sox brought up Isaiah Campbell from their Triple-A affiliate in Worcester. Campbell had a brief major league appearance in July, pitching two innings and allowing two runs. This season in Triple-A, he holds a 6-6 record with a 4.17 ERA. The team hopes Campbell can add more reliability to their bullpen as they continue managing the impact of Anthony’s absence and seek to maintain momentum in the series against the Royals.
Outlook for the Red Sox Moving Forward
The sudden injury to Roman Anthony placed the Red Sox in a challenging position, but Wilyer Abreu’s unexpected strong showing offered a hopeful sign that the team can adapt when needed. Anthony’s swift recovery is critical, given his rising role as a key rookie contributor. Meanwhile, the team’s shift in bullpen personnel illustrates their ongoing efforts to stabilize pitching and maintain competitiveness. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if Anthony returns healthy for the series finale and whether Campbell can provide the consistency Boston needs from their relief corps.