BOSTON – (Wire Service Report) – The Boston Red Sox may be without rookie outfielder Roman Anthony tonight when they conclude a three-game series against the visiting Cleveland Guardians.
Anthony grabbed his back after he struck out in the fourth inning of Boston’s 11-7 triumph over Cleveland (68-69) on Tuesday. He was replaced in right field by Nate Eaton in the top of the fifth by the Red Sox (78-62).
“Left oblique tightness,” Boston manager Alex Cora said. “He’ll have an MRI (Wednesday), so we’ll know more during the day. Sore. He’s sore.”
Anthony said he first felt discomfort during a check-swing earlier in the at-bat.
“Pretty sudden,” he said. “I’m hoping for the best and staying positive, but any time I’m not out there, I’m pretty (angry). It (stinks).”
Anthony has been one of Boston’s most productive offensive players since he was recalled from Triple-A Worcester on June 9. He’s batting .292 with a .396 on-base percentage and a .463 slugging percentage in 71 games with the Red Sox. He has eight home runs, 18 doubles, 32 RBIs and 48 runs.
The Red Sox already are down one outfielder; Wilyer Abreu has been on the injured list since Aug. 21 with a calf strain.
Boston moved a season-high 16 games over the .500 mark on Tuesday by winning its third straight game.
Despite hitting four home runs, Cleveland lost its third consecutive game.
The Red Sox, who will seek a series sweep on Wednesday, hold the second wild-card spot in the American League, and the Guardians are four games behind the Seattle Mariners in the race for the third and final berth.
Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said his team will employ a six-man rotation for the foreseeable future in an attempt to make a late playoff push.
Cleveland will start left-hander Joey Cantillo (3-3, 3.93 ERA) in Wednesday’s series finale. He’ll be joined in the rotation by Tanner Bibee, Gavin Williams, Slade Cecconi, Logan Allen and Parker Messick.
“We’re going to go with the six-man rotation for a little while,” Vogt said. “Just with the starting pitching, where they are innings-wise and where they are in their career. And we have 24 games in 24 days, so we thought it was a good opportunity for us to get them … they’ll all be on five days’ rest throughout this long process.”
Cecconi and Williams already have passed their respective career highs in innings pitched.
Cantillo’s only career appearance against the Red Sox came in relief on April 27. He allowed three runs (two earned) on one hit in two innings and did not factor in the decision in Cleveland’s 13-3 loss.
Left-hander Brennan Bernardino (4-2, 3.08) is scheduled to start what likely will be a bullpen game for Boston today. Bernardino, who pitched a scoreless ninth inning Tuesday, is 1-2 with a 1.54 ERA in 11 career appearances (one start) against Cleveland.
Cora said before Tuesday’s game that rookie Payton Tolle will start against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday and Dustin May will make a temporary move to the bullpen.
“(May will) start again next week,” Cora said. “So we’re just moving pieces right now.
“(Wednesday) we might have a bullpen day, and (May is) part of it. And then if he doesn’t pitch in the bullpen this week, it’s going to be 10 days in between starts. So we’re not going to do that to him.”
–Field Level Media