The Boston Red Sox remain one of the league’s most intriguing teams as the 2026 MLB season approaches. Boston features a significant portion of the sport’s young talent all on one 40‑man roster.
One player headlines that group, and that is left‑handed slugger Roman Anthony, who broke out during the 2025 season and was rewarded with an eight‑year, 130 million dollar contract extension in August that keeps him in Boston through 2033. It is easy to understand why the Red Sox made that commitment.
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The 21‑year‑old posted a .292 batting average, .396 on‑base percentage, .859 OPS, 8 home runs and 32 RBIs across 71 games in his rookie year. Even before his call‑up, he was widely regarded as the top prospect in baseball.
Boston Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony (19)© Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
(© Eric Hartline-Imagn Images)
As players begin to arrive for spring training, attention will soon shift to the World Baseball Classic in March. Earlier this week, Anthony made headlines as a potential replacement for outfielder Corbin Carroll on Team USA after Carroll suffered an injury that ruled him out of the tournament.
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Anthony quickly emerged as the frontrunner for the spot, an exciting development that reflects his rising status and growing respect across the league. On Saturday, the Red Sox received an update on his candidacy.
According to Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald, Anthony passed his physical, although Team USA has not finalized his addition as they wait for insurance approval. The update signaled that Anthony is fully healthy and that the process is now no longer up to him.
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This is notable for two reasons. First, Anthony missed the final two months of the regular season, including 22 games and the entire postseason, due to a left oblique strain. It was believed he might have returned had the Red Sox advanced further, but his offseason recovery remained an important storyline.
Second, insurance clearance has been a major hurdle for several MLB players this year, with stars such as Carlos Correa and Francisco Lindor unable to participate because they were not approved. Anthony clearing that hurdle would be a meaningful step toward joining Team USA.
If he is ultimately added to the roster, it would mark another milestone in what already looks like the beginning of a special career, and it would only strengthen the optimism the Red Sox have about building their future around him.
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This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Feb 14, 2026, where it first appeared in the MLB section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.