Before the Boston Red Sox’s narrow 7-6 defeat to the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday, interim manager Chad Tracy shared some encouraging news regarding outfielder Roman Anthony’s recovery from a wrist injury. Anthony, who has been out since May 4, seems to be on the mend, according to Tracy.
“He felt much better, not feeling as much discomfort in the front end, just a little bit, like on the follow-through, in the back end, so that’s a positive step,” Tracy reported. “The next step will be the same thing tomorrow, only increasing the volume of the amount of swings he takes, and we can increase activity as his tolerance dictates, but a step in the right direction for him today.”
While Anthony’s return isn’t imminent, the progress is a welcome sign for a Boston team currently grappling with a four-game losing streak. However, Anthony’s eventual return, while beneficial, won’t be a cure-all for the Red Sox’s challenges.
Boston’s offensive struggles have been a season-long narrative. Even with Anthony back in the lineup, the team’s hitting woes are unlikely to be resolved by one player, no matter how talented.
The Red Sox rank at the bottom of the league in several key offensive categories, including RBIs and runs scored, and are among the lowest in home runs, slugging percentage, and OPS. Despite a recent uptick, where they managed to score three or more runs in six of their last seven games, the overall offensive picture remains bleak.
Anthony is undoubtedly a bright spot on the roster, bringing a level of talent and versatility that the team sorely needs. However, his pre-injury stats-.229 batting average, one home run, five RBIs, and a .675 OPS over 109 at-bats-highlight the challenge of expecting him to single-handedly revitalize the offense in his first full MLB season.
The Red Sox’s current roster lacks the depth and consistency needed to support Anthony effectively. Sitting at 22-31 and at the bottom of the AL East standings, the team has a long road ahead to find their groove.
There’s still time for a turnaround, but simply slotting Anthony back into the lineup won’t be the panacea for their offensive struggles. The Red Sox will need more than just one player’s return to change their fortunes this season.
