BOSTON — Star rookie Roman Anthony will undergo an MRI on Wednesday after leaving the Red Sox’ 11-7 win over the Guardians on Tuesday due to left oblique tightness.
Anthony grabbed his lower left back above his belt after striking out swinging in the fourth inning. He did not return to play defense in the top of the fifth. Nate Eaton replaced him in right field.
Anthony said he initially felt tightness on a check swing during the same at-bat before striking out.
“He’s sore,” manager Alex Cora said.
Asked his concern level, Anthony replied, “I’m not really sure. I’ll see tomorrow, after the MRI.”
This is the first time he has ever suffered an oblique injury, he said.
“It sucks,” Anthony said. “I’m hoping for the best and staying positive, but anytime I’m not out there, I’m pretty pissed off. It sucks.”
Anthony missed two games in early August due to mid-back tightness. He was asked Tuesday how the two injuries compare in how they feel.
“This is definitely worse in terms of the way it feels but that’s right now,” he said.
He said he’s unsure whether this will require a stint on the injured list.
“I don’t know,” Anthony said. “I wish I knew. I haven’t dealt with something like this before. So I’d be lying if I said I knew. But again, we’ll know in the morning, I’m sure.”
The 21-year-old leadoff hitter has been one of Boston’s most productive offensive players since the Red Sox promoted him from Triple-A Worcester on June 9. He’s batting .292 with a .396 on-base percentage, .463 slugging percentage, .859 OPS, eight home runs, 18 doubles, one triple, 32 RBIs and 48 runs in 71 games.
Anthony went 1-for-3 with an RBI single during Boston’s four-run second inning Tuesday.
“Obviously losing Roman today is a gut punch,” veteran Alex Bregman said. “Obviously one of the best players in all of baseball, but we got to continue to push along and nobody needs to try and do more. No one needs to try and do more than they’re capable of. They just need to try and execute their game plan the same way that we’ve been talking about all year long and continue to find ways to win.”
Anthony’s injury comes at a challenging time for the Red Sox outfield. Right fielder Wilyer Abreu’s right calf strain still has not improved. He’s been on the IL since Aug. 21.
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