The Red Sox have surged back into the playoff picture, and that alone would have sounded far-fetched earlier this season, even after the club moved on from Alex Cora. Now, a little more than halfway through August, Boston is right there with the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays at the top of the American League.
That turnaround has pushed the Red Sox into a position where a serious October run no longer feels like a reach. But there’s another storyline building alongside the team’s push: Roman Anthony is close to coming back, and his return comes with one massive question hanging over everything.
MLB.com’s Ian Browne framed it plainly: "What kind of impact will Roman Anthony make?"
Browne also noted that "Slotting Anthony in at the top of the order could be of particular significance for a team that has lacked production in the leadoff spot."
That’s where the intrigue starts. Anthony showed real pop during his rehab assignment, including a massive home run, but there’s still no guarantee that production carries over once he’s back facing big league pitching.
Before the wrist injury sidelined him for most of the year, Anthony put up a .229 average with one home run, five RBIs and a .675 OPS in the majors. Those numbers matter because they set the baseline for what Boston might get if he returns and looks like the same hitter he was before the injury.
And if that version shows up, the Red Sox can survive it. They’ve already proven they can keep moving without him, and they’d probably be fine if his bat doesn’t immediately take off.
But the ceiling is obviously much higher than that.
If Anthony returns and hits anywhere near the .859 OPS he posted in 71 games during his rookie season in 2025, Boston’s outlook changes fast. At that level, the Red Sox become much more than a team simply hanging around the postseason race. They start looking like a real threat to make noise deep into October.
That’s why Anthony’s return carries so much weight. It isn’t just about getting another name back in the lineup. It’s about whether Boston gets a helpful piece or a difference-maker in the middle of a race that suddenly has the Red Sox positioned to dream bigger.
In Other News...
Trevor Storys Return Just Made One Red Sox Roster Call Much Tougher
Trevor Story is expected to return from the injured list soon, and that alone changes the shape of the Red Sox roster in a hurry. A team that has spent plenty of time sorting through infield looks now has to make room for a regular at shortstop, which pushes a few other moving parts into sharper focus, especially on the bench and around second base.
Nick Sogard has helped make the decision more complicated by playing well enough lately to give Boston a real reason to keep him around, with his defense and on-base work standing out over Anthony Seigler. The Red Sox are also trying to sort out how to handle playing time for Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Jahmai Jones, which means Storys return is not just about who comes off the injured list, but about how the rest of the roster gets reshaped around him. [Read more 🡒]
Roman Anthony's Return Is About To Force A Red Sox Roster Call
Roman Anthony has started his minor league rehab assignment with Double-A Portland, and the Red Sox are already mapping out how he fits back in once he is ready to rejoin the big league club. Boston expects to use him at the top of the lineup as a leadoff hitter and as a designated hitter, which gives the team a clearer sense of his role even as the calendar on the rehab stint can run up to 20 days.
What makes the situation more complicated is the roster pressure around him. Trevor Storys return is also in the mix, and Boston has been juggling playing time for players such as Anthony Seigler and Mickey Gasper while trying to keep the roster balanced. Anthonys comeback figures to help the offense, but it also means the Red Sox will have to make a couple of uncomfortable choices before he is fully back in Boston. [Read more 🡒]
Red Sox Reunion In Boston May Be Missing One Familiar Name
Rafael Devers is set to make his first return to Boston since the trade that sent him to San Francisco 14 months ago, giving this weekends series a little extra edge for Red Sox fans still sorting through that deal. It is the kind of matchup that tends to drag old emotions back into the open, especially when a former franchise face comes back to Fenway with a new uniform and a familiar spotlight.
One piece of the reunion, though, may not arrive on schedule. Marcelo Mayer, another name tied to the trade and a player the Giants have been monitoring closely, is on a rehab assignment and could be held back until next week as San Francisco manages his forearm issue and decides how quickly to bring him into the mix. He has looked solid in Triple-A, but his major league track record has been uneven, and the Giants appear in no rush to force the timing. [Read more 🡒]