The Boston Red Sox will go for a sweep of the San Francisco Giants. Before the game, interim manager Chad Tracy provided health updates on Roman Anthony, Trevor Story, and Isiah Kiner-Falefa. Tracy told MassLive’s Chris Cotillo of the possibility of their return in their next series against the Miami Marlins.
Cotillo implies there are many moving parts in the rehab process for the three hitters. All three players are currently on the 60-day injured list. The Red Sox have two open spots on their 40-man roster, so they’ll need to free up at least one more.
Story and Kiner-Falefa are currently on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Worcester, while Anthony is playing for Double-A Portland. The latter’s inclusion in Portland is more about proximity to Boston than competition level.
If the Red Sox decide to continue their rehab, all three players could be in Worcester next week, as Tommy Cassell of the Worcester Telegraph & Gazette points out.
The next homestand starts on August 31, when the Red Sox host the Seattle Mariners. All three position players should be back by the end of that series.
Red Sox Provide Roman Anthony, Trevor Story, and Isiah Kiner-Falefa Injury Update
GettyThe Red Sox hope to get Roman Anthony back from injury as they close in on a postseason spot. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
The Red Sox will weigh how quickly to push the three injured hitters. They’ll be able to carry another hitter starting on September 1, giving them a little more roster flexibility for the final four weeks of the season.
Roman Anthony has been out since suffering a partial tear of his right ring finger on May 4. Trevor Story is recovering from sports hernia surgery on May 22, after suffering the injury a week prior. Isiah Kiner-Falefa is battling a forearm injury, which has sidelined him since June 19.
There will likely be a return-to-play protocol provided by the medical staff concerning all three players, especially Anthony and Story. Story is likely to resume his everyday shortstop role while Anthony rotates in at left field and the designated hitter spots.
All three hitters have been out for multiple months, so there will be an acclimation process to big league pitching. That could also be why interim manager Chad Tracy is expressing caution on their return to the lineup.
What This News Means for the Red Sox?
GettyRed Sox interim Chad Tracy could see a healthier starting lineup soon. (Photo by Daniel Bartel/Getty Images)
The Red Sox are getting healthier down the stretch, as they try to secure a postseason spot. Since bottoming out on June 24, Boston has won 38 of 51 to get a stranglehold on an American League Wild Card spot.
The club faces an uphill battle to get back in the American League East race. They are six games back of the Tampa Bay Rays entering play on August 23. But they are only three games back of their hated rival, the New York Yankees, for the AL’s top Wild Card.
That means the Red Sox still have something to play for. Finishing no lower than the AL’s No. 4 seed guarantees postseason games at Fenway Park. Boston currently carries a 97% chance of qualifying for October baseball, according to FanGraphs.
Red Sox Provide Roman Anthony, Trevor Story Injury Updates During Giants Series