The Boston Red Sox have been on a tremendous ride this summer, surging into playoff contention after getting off to a slow start. Led by emerging young players, resurgent veterans and several new faces, the Red Sox have established themselves as legitimate contenders in a wide-open American League.
However, Boston's rollercoaster season took a turn for the worse on Wednesday with the news that star rookie Roman Anthony is expected to miss four to six weeks with an oblique injury, likely ending his stellar regular season.
While Anthony could still return during the postseason, his absence was felt during Wednesday's demoralizing 8-1 loss to the Cleveland Guardians.
Wilyer Abreu (calf) could provide a boost when he returns from the injured list, but it's unclear when that will be. He recently suffered a setback in his rehab and has been out longer than expected.
The dual injuries have former Red Sox closer and current NESN studio analyst Jonathan Papelbon concerned.
"Ok so Roman Anthony is out for the rest of the regular season and Wilyer Abreu is not progressing like he thought. So yeah this is a problem and I am worried for the @RedSox," Papelbon wrote on X prior to Wednesday's loss.
With Anthony, Abreu and Triston Casas sidelined (and the midseason trade of Rafael Devers still looming large), Boston's down multiple big bats at the most critical point of the season. The Red Sox have 21 games left to secure a playoff spot, but they'll have to do so without several of their best hitters.
Boston's been a resilient team this year that has overcome numerous obstacles and injuries, but losing Anthony may be the biggest blow yet. He'd been the club's best player since debuting on June 9, stepping up in Devers' absence and providing a massive spark to the slumping Red Sox.
Boston is 44-27 with Anthony this season and 34-36 without him. The Red Sox should still make the postseason if they play .500 ball the rest of the way, but they'll need to find new ways to score runs and win games with their depleted lineup.