PORTLAND, ME. — Roman’s Return. On Tuesday, Boston Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony took a step in the right direction when he began a rehab assignment with Double-A Portland. Anthony hit second and served as designated hitter for the Sea Dogs in his first live baseball game in over three months. “Super excited,” said Anthony ahead of Portland’s game at Hadlock Field. “I was driving here today, and it just felt weird to finally be here. It’s been a long, long process for me and took a lot longer than I could have expected when I first did it. “But I’m happy that it’s all behind me and I can just play baseball.”
Roman Anthony speaks with media before starting his rehab assignment with Double-A Portland. pic.twitter.com/MNGmBbp51T — Tommy Cassell (@tommycassell44) August 18, 2026 During a Boston Red Sox’ game against the Detroit Tigers on May 4, Anthony sustained a partial tear of his right ring finger ligament when he fouled a ball off on a check swing. “I just took a swing and it didn’t feel good,” Anthony said at the time. “And as I came back in and went under to continue to swing, it just was painful.” The Red Sox initially placed Anthony on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to May 5) but due to lingering discomfort when swinging a bat, Anthony was placed on the 60-day injured list on June 28.
Shortly after that, Anthony was sent to the Red Sox’ spring training facility in Fort Myers, Florida to focus on his treatment. Just last week, Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy mentioned Anthony was ramping up his activity by hitting off a Trajekt machine, which simulates Major League pitching. “We’re creeping closer,” Tracy told the media. Now, the 22-year-old outfielder finds himself in Portland inching closer to Boston. “I’m (going to) do everything I can to get back as fast as I can,” said Anthony, who drew a walk in his first at-bat of Tuesday’s Double-A game.
Roman Anthony draws a walk in his first professional at-bat since May 4. pic.twitter.com/KzBKVxv733 — Tommy Cassell (@tommycassell44) August 18, 2026 Anthony batted .229 (25-for-109) with one home run, five RBIs, 20 walks and 12 runs in 30 games for the Red Sox this season before getting injured. Selected by Boston in the second round of the 2022 First-Year Player Draft, the Florida native has hit .273 (100-for-366) with nine home runs, 37 RBIs, 60 walks, 60 runs scored and an .804 OPS in 101 career Major League games with the Red Sox (2025-26). “He’s a special player, a special talent,” said Sea Dogs acting manager Kyle Sasala, who hinted that Anthony should spend the week with Portland and play a few games in the outfield. “Even during (batting practice), it sounds different coming off his bat.” Anthony’s first season with the Red Sox (2025) was cut short due to a left oblique strain that he suffered last September. He’s now hoping to be healthy this September to help the Red Sox with their playoff push. “The biggest thing for me is getting back here in these rehab games and getting my feet underneath me and feeling like I’ve played baseball again because it’s felt like forever,” Anthony said. “And then just getting back there and helping the guys win and not trying to do too much, not trying to be anyone I’m not, but just kind of go back and play with the group that’s playing great baseball.”
Roman’s Return™️ pic.twitter.com/P6HojsMltF — Tommy Cassell (@tommycassell44) August 18, 2026 Boston (67-58) currently finds itself in third place in the American League East standings, but in possession of the second wild card spot — six games ahead of the Baltimore Orioles, Texas Rangers and Detroit Tigers. Anthony’s return could give Boston a big boost for the rest of the season. But for now, the Red Sox outfielder is taking it day-by-day as he attempts to come back from a hand injury. “To be out here again tonight, I’m just enjoying it,” Anthony said. “… It’s felt great to finally just be out here and be around these guys and be back on a baseball field.” —Contact Tommy Cassell at tcassell@telegram.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @tommycassell44. This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony begins rehab assignment with Portland