Red Sox Won't Rule Out Injured Stars Returning During Road Trip

The Boston Red Sox are heading into a critical stretch of their season, and they may be getting some key reinforcements back. After completing a three-game sweep of the San Francisco Giants with a 5-4 win on Sunday, interim manager Chad Tracy provided updates on three injured players who are working their way back: outfielder Roman Anthony, shortstop Trevor Story, and utility man Isiah Kiner-Falefa.

Tracy said before Saturday's game that he "wouldn't rule it out" that the Red Sox could activate any of the trio during their next series in Miami. He elaborated, saying, "I think it really just depends on, again, like how they feel after today, tomorrow, like we'll figure out what we're going to do going forward and see where they're at."

Anthony's Rehab Progress

Anthony, who has been out since May 4 with a torn ligament in the ring finger of his right hand, has been on a rehab assignment with Double-A Portland. He went 3-for-11 with a home run, a double, and two walks in four games with the Sea Dogs. After Sunday's game, Tracy announced that Anthony would join Triple-A Worcester to continue his rehab assignment for an indefinite period.

Tracy noted that Anthony will play at least two games with Worcester before the Red Sox gauge his availability on their scheduled off day Thursday. While Anthony won't be activated during the Miami series, Tracy said it's possible he could be ready for the four-game series against the Yankees in the Bronx, which begins Friday.

"I would say: likely (not in Miami)," Tracy said. "I wouldn't completely rule it out, but I still think he's in a buildup phase of outfield and continuing to get at-bats."

Anthony himself echoed that sentiment, saying he "feels good" and believes Friday's series opener against the Yankees could be in play. He also noted that he has "no flight booked" to return to Boston yet, and that the team will re-assess after Wednesday's game.

Story and Kiner-Falefa Evaluated

Trevor Story, who has been out since mid-May after sports hernia surgery, has played five games at shortstop and one at designated hitter during his rehab with Triple-A Worcester. He is 4-for-21 with five strikeouts in six rehab games. Story said he's "keeping it open" but would like to be active in New York, and he acknowledged that the play of his replacements has given the team some cushion.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa, out since June 19 with a stress reaction in his forearm, has played two games at second base and two at shortstop, going 1-for-13 with four strikeouts in four rehab games. Both Story and Kiner-Falefa will return to Boston and be re-assessed Monday, with the possibility of joining the team in Miami as soon as Tuesday.

Tracy said the three players are in similar spots in their recoveries, adding, "I would imagine that they're all three in a pretty similar spot as far as the length of time down. All of them were down for a while. All of them are going through the timing component and getting their bodies up to game speed, being able to post multiple days in a row."

Roster Implications

The returns of Anthony, Story, and Kiner-Falefa will create a roster crunch for the Red Sox, who have two open spots on their 40-man roster and will need to free up at least one more. All three players are on the 60-day injured list, and the team will need to make corresponding moves to activate them.

Tracy indicated that Anthony's role will be more heavily weighted toward designated hitter, with some outfield mixed in, given the team's Gold Glove-caliber outfield of Wilyer Abreu, Ceddanne Rafaela, and Jarren Duran. He also hinted that Anthony might play left field over Duran against left-handed starters, noting Anthony's career .280 average and .738 OPS against lefties.

Kiner-Falefa, meanwhile, has offered a surprising solution to the roster logjam: he said he wants to spend the entire week rehabbing with the WooSox so that he's fully ready to come back when rosters expand on Sept. 1. "I understand how things move with the roster," he said. "We've got a lot of quality guys and guys, who have done things, who don't deserve to come down or be (designated for assignment)."

Other Injury Updates

The Red Sox also provided updates on several other injured players. Right-hander Garrett Whitlock, who has been on the 15-day injured list since Aug. 13 with right elbow soreness, will throw a live batting practice at LoanDepot Park on Wednesday. Tracy said, "See how that goes and how he feels and if we're able to activate him after that." Whitlock could be activated as early as Friday, when the Red Sox are in New York.

Curtis Mead, who suffered a fractured wrist on a hit-by-pitch on July 28, had a follow-up four-week scan that showed enough healing to remove the cast and put him in a splint, according to Christopher Smith of MassLive. The Red Sox acquired Mead from the Washington Nationals in exchange for left-hander Connelly Early on July 26.

Justin Slaten, who is on the injured list with right elbow inflammation, played catch for the first time on Sunday. Garrett Crochet, dealing with shoulder inflammation, is throwing out to 90 feet.

Looking Ahead

The Red Sox, who are 70-59 and third in the AL East, begin a seven-game road trip Monday against the Miami Marlins, followed by a four-game series against the Yankees. They are three games behind the Yankees in the standings and six games back of the Rays for the top wild-card spot. Since June 24, they have won 38 of 51 games and carry a 97% chance of qualifying for October baseball, per FanGraphs.

With the returns of Anthony, Story, and Kiner-Falefa on the horizon, the Red Sox are poised to add significant talent to a roster that has been surging. As Tracy put it, "If he's Roman — he can impact it in a very big way."