BOSTON – Trying to salvage the finale of a three-game series against the Yankees on Thursday night, the Red Sox were once again without the services of leadoff hitter Roman Anthony, who is experiencing back tightness and soreness.
The 21-year-old spent hours in the training room during the afternoon in hopes it will improve enough that he can return to the lineup on Friday night, when the Sox open a three-game series at Camden Yards against the Orioles.
“Still sore, tight,” said Red Sox manager Alex Cora. “So, day to day.”
Anthony’s left-handed bat would have been good for the Sox to have against Yankees fireballing righty Cam Schlittler, one of the most talented young pitchers in the game.
Instead, Cora went with Jarren Duran in the leadoff spot. Masataka Yoshida batted third and served as the designated hitter.
Anthony’s back started to tighten up during Tuesday’s 4-0 loss. Without Anthony in the lineup on Wednesday against Yankees ace Max Fried, Boston took a 4-1 defeat to slip to 9-15.
While big things are expected of Anthony for his first full season in the Majors, and his performance in the World Baseball Classic did nothing to diminish that, he’s off to a slow start.
Through 22 games and 97 plate appearances, Anthony has a batting line of .225/.361/.325 with one homer and four RBIs.
This was the fourth time in Boston’s 25 games this season Anthony hasn’t been in the starting lineup.