As the Red Sox head into September with the playoff race tightening, the biggest injury return on deck is Roman Anthony. Boston expects three players back from long-term injuries, but Anthony is the one that changes the conversation.
Anthony has been out since May 5 because of a rare hand injury that is almost never seen in professional baseball players. After months of vague updates and plenty of waiting, he finally started a rehab assignment on August 18. Chad Tracy said Anthony, Trevor Story or Isiah Kiner-Falefa could be activated for Monday’s series opener against the Miami Marlins, though Chris Cotillo of MassLive reported it is more likely they keep working on rehab for a few more days.
What stands out most is how Boston plans to use Anthony once he is back. Tracy made it clear that everyday outfield reps are not the priority. With injury risk a concern in the season’s final stretch, the Red Sox intend to be careful with him.
That matters because Anthony’s return will not automatically squeeze Jarren Duran out of left field. Duran should still get most of the playing time, even if Boston has reasons to look elsewhere. He has been better over the last week, hitting .304/.333/.522 with a home run and an RBI in his last seven games, but the larger body of work is still a problem for a team that needs offense now.
Duran is batting .207/.265/.362 with 144 strikeouts in 122 games. He is on pace for 17 doubles, which would leave him 24 short of last season’s total. The Red Sox have also avoided as many left-handed matchups with him lately, and that has helped the recent uptick, but he still has not done enough to lock down the role during such an important stretch.
Boston does have other ways to shuffle the outfield once Anthony is available. Jahmai Jones has been excellent since the trade, piling up 13 hits, six of them for extra bases, along with six RBI in 17 games.
His .520/.586/1.000 line jumps off the page, even if his defense is only average. That is one area where Duran still has the edge.
Eli White is another option who could take some of Duran’s reps. In 11 games with Boston, the former Rangers and Braves outfielder has six hits and three RBI. He brings stronger defense than Duran and, somehow, even more speed.
Letting Anthony ease back in makes sense for his recovery and long-term outlook. It does not necessarily make the lineup stronger in the short term, though.
If Duran keeps hitting like he did this past week, Boston will gladly take it. But he has not shown the kind of steady, playoff-level production the Red Sox need all season long.
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