Red Sox Dealt Devastating Blow To Playoff Hopes

After establishing himself as a legitimate threat at the top of the Boston Red Sox lineup, young phenom Roman Anthony has been dealt some tough injury news. And with it, the Red Sox' playoff hopes are given a devastating blow.

Roman Anthony will be placed on the IL with an oblique strain, per Red Sox manager Alex Cora. pic.twitter.com/OdER8zuAms
— MLB (@MLB) September 3, 2025

Anthony suffered the injury during Tuesday's 11-7 win over the Cleveland Guardians. He went 1-for-3 with an RBI out of the leadoff spot, which has been his regular lineup spot since the end of July.

The 21-year-old star will be out four to six weeks with an oblique strain, per Red Sox manager Alex Cora. That will wipe out the rest of his regular season. Even if Boston makes it into the playoffs, his return will be questionable for their opening series.

Obliques are a tough injury to recover quickly from, and they can linger for longer than hoped. Anthony said this afternoon that he'll do everything he can to recover.

“I don’t want to set any realistic or unrealistic goals,” Anthony said after the diagnosis. “I think for me it’s just a matter of showing up every day and doing everything I can in the training room and everything I can: sleeping, diet to make sure I’m physically and mentally in my best shape and just try to get out there as soon as I can.”

Anthony signed an 8-year, $130 million extension with the Red Sox in August, and in the four weeks since then, he's hit .306 with six home runs and 13 RBIs in 25 games, with 21 runs scored and a .910 OPS.

On the season, the first-year player is batting .292 with an .859 OPS, eight homers and 32 RBIs with 48 runs in 71 games, largely as the Sox' leadoff man.