Roman Anthony Turns Heads at Red Sox Spring Training, Harrison Blum Joins Pitching Depth Chart, and Liam Hendriks Gets a Fresh Start
The Boston Red Sox made a flurry of moves this offseason-12 trades in total-but the buzz around Fort Myers right now isn’t about roster reshuffling. It’s about a 21-year-old outfielder who’s showing up stronger, more confident, and ready to make his mark. Roman Anthony has arrived at spring training, and he looks every bit like a player gearing up to take the next leap.
Anthony, a Rookie of the Year finalist last season, has clearly put in the work over the winter. He reportedly added 15 pounds to his frame-though A’s slugger Brent Rooker had a little fun pushing back on that number-and the added muscle is hard to miss.
Whether or not the exact weight gain is accurate, the results are showing. Anthony looks like a player ready to punish mistakes and take full advantage of his first full season in the majors.
His physical transformation has already sparked plenty of chatter online, with fans sharing side-by-side photos-and yes, a few wildly edited versions-of the new-look slugger. But beyond the hype, there’s real anticipation about what Anthony can bring to a lineup that’s still searching for consistent power.
Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow has pointed to Anthony as one of the few true home run threats in the current roster construction. That’s a lot to ask of a player this young, but Anthony’s maturity and upside suggest he might be more than ready to shoulder the load.
Boston Adds More Size to the Mound with Harrison Blum
While the spotlight is on Anthony, the Red Sox front office continues to quietly build out the pitching staff. On February 12, Boston added right-hander Harrison Blum on a minor league deal, further deepening a pitching corps that’s already seen plenty of additions this winter.
Blum brings size and upside to the organization. At 6-foot-7 and 240 pounds, he’s an imposing figure on the mound, even if he’s yet to throw a pitch in pro ball.
He spent six years in college, splitting time between Luther College and Augustana University, where he compiled a 3.81 ERA with 267 strikeouts and 112 walks over 264.2 innings. Those are solid numbers, and while the jump to pro hitters is a big one, the Red Sox clearly see something worth developing.
Blum joins a long list of arms competing for a shot, and while he’s a long-term project, Boston’s track record with unheralded pitching talent suggests he’ll get a real opportunity to prove himself.
Liam Hendriks Heads Back to Where It All Began
Meanwhile, a familiar name is getting a second chance-just not in Boston. Veteran reliever Liam Hendriks has signed a minor league deal with the Minnesota Twins, returning to the organization that gave him his first shot in the big leagues.
Hendriks’ time in Boston was brief and, unfortunately, mostly spent on the injured list. Over two seasons, he logged just 13.2 innings and never had the chance to become a meaningful part of the bullpen. But the three-time All-Star has 116 career saves and a 3.88 ERA over 14 major league seasons, and his fiery presence on the mound is something fans across the league have come to appreciate.
Now 37, Hendriks is looking to close out his career on his terms. The Twins, who helped launch his MLB journey, are giving him that opportunity. It’s a full-circle moment for a player who’s battled through injuries and setbacks but still has something left in the tank.
For Boston fans, Hendriks’ time in a Red Sox uniform may feel like a footnote, but around the league, there’s a quiet hope that he can find his form again and finish strong. Baseball’s full of second chances, and Hendriks has earned his.
As spring training ramps up, all eyes in Boston are on Anthony’s emergence, the continued tinkering with pitching depth, and the stories of players like Hendriks who remind us that baseball careers can be winding roads. The Red Sox are still shaping their identity for 2026-but the pieces are starting to come into focus.