NEW YORK -- One swing. His first for the Red Sox since May 4. And that is all it took for Roman Anthony to remind everyone who he is and what he is capable of for the final month of the regular season.
Activated along with teammate Trevor Story, the 22-year-old Anthony was thrust right into the mix, leading off for interim manager Chad Tracy. On a 1-0 pitch, Anthony hammered a 101.6 mph double down the right-field line in his team’s eventual 16-1 loss to the Yankees in the series finale at Yankee Stadium. He later added a 109-mph single to center to lead off the sixth.
Story, who batted eighth, also had a nice return, reaching on an infield hit in the fifth and drilling a double off the right-field wall to open the eighth.
“I think the team is where we really want it right now,” center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela said. “We have two of our best players back. Roman, today, came in ready. Story came in ready. And I think we’re happy that they are here, and we’re ready to go and finish the year strong.”
Anthony and Story both expressed appreciation for their teammates turning the season around in their absences and putting the Sox in prime position to make it to the postseason.
The Boston team Anthony and Story departed in May was struggling to stay in contention. By late June, the Red Sox were 14 games under .500 and 15 1/2 games behind the Yankees in the standings.
The Sox (74-63) are now in possession of the second American League Wild Card spot, leading the Guardians (69-68) by five games.
“Yeah, incredible -- everyone that was playing contributed to the turnaround,” Story said. “What a special turnaround and one that's really never been seen before. So I’m super proud of those guys, and they're the reason why we're here.”
Story and Anthony emphasized a desire to fall in with the rest of a roster that has come together over the last two months.
“It's not like heroes are coming back,” Story said. “We're not looking at it that way. These guys have put in the work and done the things and performed on the field to get us to where we're at, and we're just coming in to help that.”
Anthony -- coming back from a right hand/wrist injury -- essentially nodded his head in agreement.
“Yeah, I mean, he couldn't have said it any better,” Anthony said. “Again, I give so much credit to the guys in here who have done it along the way, and all the guys that have contributed whether they’re here or not."
Designated hitter Mickey Gasper, in the midst of a torrid stretch at the plate, and Anthony Seigler, who had his share of key moments during the turnaround, were optioned to Triple-A Worcester to make room for Anthony and Story.
Tracy and chief baseball officer Craig Breslow delivered the news to both players who were sent down after Saturday night’s 9-2 loss in Game 2 of a split doubleheader at Yankee Stadium.
“Very difficult. It’s bittersweet,” Tracy said. “We're really excited that Roman's here. Really excited Trevor’s here. But we had to talk to two guys that were instrumental over this stretch of helping our team get back to where it is right now.”
Unless they come back to replace an injured player, Gasper and Seigler must stay in the Minors for 10 days before the Red Sox can recall them. Veteran infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa will join the club on Tuesday, when rosters are expanded to 28.
Anthony will become an immediate fixture in Boston’s lineup at DH and left field, and he will lead off against righties. His placement against lefties isn’t quite as certain, as platoon specialist Jahmai Jones has been on fire since he joined the Red Sox.
Though Story struggled mightily while playing through his sports hernia injury earlier in the season and went 6-for-35 (.171) with just three RBIs in his rehab assignment for the WooSox, he made a statement by getting a couple of knocks in his first game back with the big club.
“I think they're pretty full-go,” Tracy said. “Obviously, I have to continue to monitor how they're doing on a day-to-day basis and be mindful of how much you're using them. If Roman's DHing more, you're in a little bit better place as far as him not being overly used on his feet. So he should be fine.
The club might build in a little more rest for Story, depending on how he recovers. There are certainly good options when he gets a down day.
Nick Sogard has been one of Boston’s hottest hitters of late and has been taking down most of the reps at second base. Andruw Monasterio has had his share of clutch hits filling in for Story at shortstop. Both players can move all around the infield. Tracy will keep them both involved. Sogard started at second on Sunday and drove in Boston's lone run, while Monasterio was on the bench, though he came in during the eighth to pitch with the game out of hand and then grounded into a double play in the ninth.
With a full and functional roster and some good depth options a phone call away at Worcester, the Red Sox now feel fortified for the stretch run.
“It feels good [to be back],” Story said. “It's been a hard three months, but happy to be here now and fit right in with this group and keep winning games.”
“So coming back here, and the situation that they've put not only myself but Trevor and IKF [Isiak Kiner-Falefa] and some other guys in, it's unbelievable,” Anthony added. “It's exciting, and can't wait to just be a part of it now.”