On Feb. 13, The Athletic’s Jen McCaffrey confirmed the report that Boston Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony will be suiting up for Team USA at the 2026 World Baseball Classic as long as he passes a scheduled physical on Feb. 14.
Team USA added an opening to its roster after Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll suffered a broken hamate bone in his right hand. As a result, Anthony has a chance to fill that spot and join an outfield that consists of s the New York Yankees‘ Aaron Judge, the Chicago Cubs‘ Pete Crow-Armstrong, and the Minnesota Twins‘ Byron Buxton.
Despite Anthony representing his country, NESN’s Joe Murray made a blunt comment as the Red Sox outfielder won’t be preparing for the 2026 MLB season with his Boston teammates as long as he passes his physical.
“I would like him to be ready for the Red Sox,” Murray said in a video posted by NESN on Feb. 13. “He’s going to miss time here. We’re trying to figure out who the left fielder is going to be. He’s a great player. Guys, there’s no more pressure on any player than Roman Anthony. I think we all know that. Great. It’s good for him to go there. I wish he could be back here trying to win games for the Red Sox.”
Red Sox Will Have Several Players at the WBC
Furthermore, Boston will be well represented at the WBC, with 10 other players, including Anthony, suiting up for their countries.
Among the Red Sox headed to the WBC: Ceddanne Rafaela (Netherlands); Jarren Duran (Mexico); Brayan Bello (Dominican Republic); Masataka Yoshida (Japan); Greg Weissert (Italy); Jovani Moran (Puerto Rico); Nate Eaton (Great Britain); and Wilyer Abreu, Willson Contreras and Ranger Suarez (Venezuela).
Anthony finished last season third in American League Rookie of the Year voting after hitting .292 with 18 doubles, eight homers, and an .859 OPS, good enough for 3.1 bWAR in 71 games. The strong rookie campaign came to an abrupt end when Anthony strained his left oblique on a swing on Sept. 2, forcing him to miss the postseason.
Boston’s Garret Crochet Talks 2026 Season
Meanwhile, Anthony’s other teammates on the Red Sox are getting ready for the 2026 MLB season. Garret Crochet spoke with NESN and shared what he’s looking to improve on this season with Boston as the team looks to get off to a good start in what should be a competitive AL East.
“I feel like I do a lot of my best work at the end of my outings, which I think will be a big focus for me this year,” Crochet told the outlet on Feb. 13. “It’s the first time and second time through the order. How can I really neutralize the lineups?
“Because I feel like the third time through the order was never a glaring issue for me. It was the more I got to know the hitter and the speed of the game at hand, the better I got. But this year, it’s about how I keep my foot on the gas the whole time.”
Red Sox’s Roman Anthony Gets Blunt Take Amid WBC News