Anthony (2-run HR), IKF, Story take next steps toward return to Majors

Roman Anthony sure looks like he's ready to return to the Red Sox.

The second-year outfielder went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run and a walk in his first game with Triple-A Worcester as he continued his rehab assignment on Tuesday night.

In the seventh inning of an 8-5 win, Anthony clobbered a 3-1 sinker over the right-center-field fence at Polar Park. The ball left the bat with an exit velocity of 106.5 mph.

Anthony -- sidelined since May 4 with a partially torn tendon in his right hand/wrist -- began his rehab last week with Double-A Portland. He has two home runs in five rehab games, eclipsing the one home run he hit in the Majors this season before landing on the IL.

With the way things are trending, it’s certainly possible that Anthony is in Boston’s lineup on Friday night at Yankee Stadium for the start of a critical four-game series with the Yankees. Anthony told reporters in Worcester, including Chris Cotillo of MassLive, that there’s no set plan for his return and he’ll continue to take things day by day. At minimum, Anthony will be with the WooSox through Wednesday, and he’ll re-assess how he’s feeling after each game.

On Sunday, when asked about the possibility of Anthony re-joining the big league club for the Yankees series, Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy said he “wouldn’t rule it out.”

Anthony hit in the No. 2 spot in the WooSox lineup on Tuesday, sandwiched between two other rehabbing teammates -- utility infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa and shortstop Trevor Story.

Kiner-Falefa, on the IL since June 19 with a stress reaction in his right forearm, was on base three times via a hit and two walks. Story, who hasn’t played for the Red Sox since May 14 after undergoing sports hernia surgery, went 0-for-4 with a walk and an RBI.

Suddenly, Boston has a lot of pieces to juggle. With reinforcements looming, the big league lineup is rolling. Entering Tuesday’s game against the Marlins, Red Sox hitters had combined for a Major League-best .807 OPS since the All-Star break.

“We’re getting to the point of the season where, with a month left, it’s about trying to win every single game,” Tracy said in Miami before Tuesday’s game. “What gives us the best chance in tonight’s game to do that? I think everybody in that room is understanding and aware this isn’t necessarily the point of the season where we’re going to work through it. We’ve got to go out there and try to win the game.

“We’ll cross the bridge when we get there, first of all. We’ve got to get these guys back and healthy and get to that point, and then when we do, just look at it on a day-to-day basis and try to say, ‘What’s best for us to win tonight?”

Among Boston’s unsung heroes are shortstop Andruw Monasterio (.817 OPS since July 1) and second baseman Nick Sogard (.812 OPS in 2026). Complicating matters, infielder Anthony Seigler and catcher Mickey Gasper have been red-hot in August.

With that in mind, Kiner-Falefa told reporters in Worcester that he wants to spend the entire week rehabbing at Triple-A. That way, he can return to the Red Sox when the rosters expand to 28 players on Sept. 1, effectively saving the club a decision.

“We’ve got a lot of quality guys who have done things, who don’t deserve to come down or be [designated for assignment],” Kiner-Falefa said.

Tuesday marked Story’s seventh rehab game and Kiner-Falefa’s fifth.

“Every at-bat and game that they play is not hurting them in any sense,” Tracy said. “It’s helping them gain timing and get more reps and see more pitches. We’re trying to thread that needle on what’s right for everybody.

“... I think everybody at this point wants to see what’s best for the team here.”