Roman Anthony out of AL wild-card series as replacement emerges for Red Sox

NEW YORK — Boston Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony will miss the remainder of the American League wild-card series against the New York Yankees because of a right hand ailment. Infielder Curtis Mead will replace Anthony on the roster, while Jahmai Jones will lead off in Game 2 and become the designated hitter.

Anthony’s injury is serious enough that the Red Sox had a driver send him to a hand specialist in Boston after they lost to New York, 9-0, on Tuesday night.  

“(Anthony) is sore,” Red Sox manager Chad Tracy told reporters. "(The imaging) showed additional damage to some muscle in his wrist that were not there before.”

Anthony was the leadoff hitter in Tuesday’s game and struck out twice against Yankees right-hander Cam Schlittler. During his final at-bat in the third inning, Anthony checked his swing and immediately felt pain. He was later replaced by Andruw Monasterio. 

Roman Anthony, Curtis Mead have been hampered by injuries

Anthony’s hand problems are nothing new to the Red Sox. He missed 104 games during the regular season because of ligament damage to his ring finger.  

Once considered a highly tutored prospect, injuries have hampered Anthony’s first two years in the major leagues. In 2025, Anthony missed the final 22 games of the regular season because of an oblique strain and missed the postseason against the Yankees. There isn't any word if surgery is required for Anthony's hand.    

Mead was having a career year when the Red Sox acquired him from the Washington Nationals before the MLB trade deadline. He was slashing .254/.352/.500 with 17 home runs and 48 RBI. But during his first game with Boston on July 27, Mead suffered a left wrist fracture after being hit by a pitch thrown by Athletics right-hander Jack Perkins. Mead would miss the rest of the regular season.    

All quotations obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.