The Wait Continues in the Bronx
Fans across New England are itching to see Roman Anthony and Trevor Story back in the lineup. Social media buzzed with rumors after Anthony drove away from Polar Park on Friday, and many thought the call would come immediately. The reality is different for now. Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy confirmed the earliest return is Sunday afternoon during the finale at Yankee Stadium. Both players sat out the Triple-A Worcester lineup on Friday. They were just taking a scheduled day off from their rehab assignments. Tracy noted that speculation ran high but the plan remains steady.
Anthony drove away from the park on Friday, sparking rumors of an immediate return. However, both players will play for Worcester on Saturday. Tracy explained the team needs to see how they feel after that game. “Like we’ve been doing, we’ll check in with them [Saturday] after playing and see where they’re at physically and how they feel after that and re-assess,” Tracy said, according to MLB.com. The team won’t rush them back if their bodies aren’t ready. A three-and-a-half-month absence makes it hard to set a fixed date on the calendar.
Patience is the name of the game when you’re this close to the finish line.
Whitlock Returns While Others Wait
While the bats wait, the bullpen gets a boost. Garrett Whitlock is likely to return on Today. The ace setup man has been on the 15-day IL since August 13 with right shoulder inflammation. He threw a live batting practice session recently. The team decided not to activate him for Friday to avoid throwing two days in a row right after an injury. Tracy said Whitlock is likely to be active prior to one of Saturday’s games at Yankee Stadium. This gives the Sox a critical arm for the final stretch.
The roster moves will be tough once Anthony and Story are ready. Mickey Gasper has been hot at the DH spot. Nick Sogard has also made key contributions recently. Anthony Seigler and Andruw Monasterio have had good moments too. Many skilled individuals on the squad have accomplished tasks. “We’ve got a lot of quality guys who have done things, who don’t deserve to come down or be [ designated for assignment ],” Tracy said, according to MLB.com. The Red Sox are winning games now, and every decision matters as the season winds down.
Winning Every Game Is the Only Goal
The Red Sox have been dominant since the All-Star break. They hold an MLB-best 27-12 record in that span. The team has managed this surge without two critical pieces in Anthony and Story. Anthony hit .304 with two homers in seven rehab games. Story is 5-for-32 with three RBIs in nine rehab games. The team has yet to see the full impact of either player this season. Anthony was sidelined since May 4 with a partially torn tendon in his right hand. Story underwent surgery for a sports hernia on May 21. Now they are close to coming back.
The manager knows the stakes are high with a month left. The team needs to win every single game to make a deep playoff run. “We’re getting to the point of the season where, with a month left, it’s about trying to win every single game,” Tracy said. The roster will be full soon, and that creates a good problem to have. “Every at-bat and game that they play is not hurting them in any sense,” Tracy added. The team will look at what is best for the squad on a day-to-day basis. “I think everybody at this point wants to see what’s best for the team here.” The Sox will keep talking to the players and figure it out as they go.
The next step is clear for both Anthony and Story. They will play for Worcester on Saturday at 4:05 p.m. ET at home. The Red Sox have a day-night doubleheader at Yankee Stadium on Sunday. The first pitch is at 1:05 p.m. with a second game at 7:15 p.m. Fans will watch closely to see if the call comes after Saturday’s action. The team will re-evaluate the players physically after the game. No date is set in stone until the team is sure. The priority is health and winning. The Sox are ready for the next phase of the season.
