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The Red Sox need Roman Anthony vs. the Yankees, but a nagging hand injury has likely ended his season

7:08 PM ETConfirmed

Sports Desk

In Short: Anthony had been battling the hand injury since his return in late August, despite performing well as the lineup's top hitter during the final stretch of the season.

The Boston Red Sox have removed Roman Anthony from their Wild Card series roster after imaging showed 'additional damage to some muscles' in his right hand and wrist.

Manager Chad Tracy said Anthony's hand 'flared on him' during the game, making it too uncomfortable for him to continue hitting.

Anthony, who had been the designated hitter and leadoff hitter for Boston in Game 1, was replaced by infielder Curtis Mead.

The Red Sox's prized 22-year-old player was removed from the game in the top of the sixth inning after taking a hard check swing against the Chicago Cubs in the regular season finale.

Anthony's season is over unless the Red Sox can make it to the ALCS and he can get healthy.

The partial tendon and ligament tear in his hand had previously cost him 101 games this season.

Anthony's absence in the clubhouse mirrored his absence on the field, as the Red Sox suffered a 9-0 drubbing by the Yankees in Game 1.

The earliest Anthony would be eligible to return would be for the ALCS.

Anthony's hand was heavily taped up before the game, indicating the injury had been a concern.

Andruw Monasterio had been informed before the game that he may be called on to replace Anthony in the lineup.

Anthony's career has seen its share of challenges, including a brief stint with the Yankees and a partially torn tendon in his right hand and wrist.

Ben Rice, who replaced Anthony in the lineup, hit a home run off Erik Miller, giving the Yankees a 2-0 lead.

What this adds

Background

What's confirmed

• The Boston Red Sox have removed Roman Anthony from their Wild Card series roster after imaging showed 'additional damage to some muscles' in his right hand and wrist.
• Manager Chad Tracy said Anthony's hand 'flared on him' during the game, making it too uncomfortable for him to continue hitting.
• Anthony, who had been the designated hitter and leadoff hitter for Boston in Game 1, was replaced by infielder Curtis Mead.
• The Red Sox's prized 22-year-old player was removed from the game in the top of the sixth inning after taking a hard check swing against the Chicago Cubs in the regular season finale.
• Anthony's season is over unless the Red Sox can make it to the ALCS and he can get healthy.
• The partial tendon and ligament tear in his hand had previously cost him 101 games this season.
• Anthony's absence in the clubhouse mirrored his absence on the field, as the Red Sox suffered a 9-0 drubbing by the Yankees in Game 1.
• The earliest Anthony would be eligible to return would be for the ALCS.
• Anthony's hand was heavily taped up before the game, indicating the injury had been a concern.
• Andruw Monasterio had been informed before the game that he may be called on to replace Anthony in the lineup.
• Anthony's career has seen its share of challenges, including a brief stint with the Yankees and a partially torn tendon in his right hand and wrist.
• Ben Rice, who replaced Anthony in the lineup, hit a home run off Erik Miller, giving the Yankees a 2-0 lead.

What's still developing

• Update: Roman Anthony left the game because his previous hand injury "flared" up on his check swings, according to multiple sources including Tim Healey of The Boston Globe. Chad Tracy is uncertain whether Anthony will play on Wednesday. Update: Roman Anthony left the game because his previous hand injury "flared" up on his check swings, according to multiple sources including Tim Healey of The Boston Globe.
• NESN color commentator Lou Merloni said on NBC's broadcast that Anthony's formerly injured hand was wrapped up before the game.
• He slashed.320/.370/.560 in his last seven regular season games following a rough return from his hand injury, when he was striking out much more than normal.
• Only it was Andruw Monasterio, not Anthony, who stepped to the plate against the dominant Cam Schlittler "It's difficult," Tracy said.
• "He's obviously coming off that (initial injury)," Tracy said.
• NEW YORK -- There was no sighting of Roman Anthony late Tuesday night.
• But the injury never responded -- not to treatment, nor to the swing that had made him one of the best young players in the game.
• The Red Sox even tried a change of scenery, sending Anthony to Fort Myers, Fla., in early July to continue his rehab at their spring training complex.
• And as OTM’s Matt Gross points out, footage from last night shows that he had his hand heavily taped up prior to the game: And, as it turns out, despite the fact that he returned at the end of August and performed as the lineup’s top hitter during an otherwise sleepy stretch run to end the season, Anthony has been battling the hand the whole time.
• The arguable nadir of his career occurred during his brief time in pinstripes and he has since said he never wanted to play for the Yankees in the first place.
• “I think there’s a lot of people and a lot of players that can have one bump in the road and not get back on the tracks,” he said, “and for me, there’s been bumps along the way and that may have been a little bit of a bigger bump than others. But then to be able to recenter, to refocus, to continue to have confidence in yourself and not get off the wagon, get back on the wagon and continue to move forward in your career and in your life as well … ultimately it made me a better person.” (Tara Sullivan, Boston Globe) Ben Rice, unfortunately, did always want to play for the Yankees, despite the fact that he grew up in Cohasset and likely has an opinion on South Shore style bar pizza.
• Losing 9-0 against your blood rivals to open off the postseason is bad enough.

Sources

• BoSox Injectionlink
• CBS Sportslink
• Espnlink
• Over the Monsterlink
• amNewYorklink
• heavy.comlink
• nesn.comlink
• Deadlinelink
• Thenewslink
• Fingerlakes1link
• Hoopsrumorslink
• Dunkingwithwolveslink
• Readysteadycutlink
• Sportslink
• Thescorelink
• WarpBeat — background on Red Sox, Yankees Set for Wild Card Showdown link
• 98.5 The Sports Hub — video link