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Manager Alex Cora said Saturday that Anthony will serve as the Red Sox's main leadoff hitter to begin the regular season, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.
Anthony took over as the Red Sox's leadoff man midway through the 2025 campaign, and he'll officially remain at the top of the order in 2026 after posting a .396 OBP in 71 big-league contests last season. The 21-year-old outfielder made three appearances as a leadoff hitter against southpaws last year, but it's unclear if the Red Sox plan to drop him further down the order when faced with a lefty-on-lefty matchup.
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Red Sox's Roman Anthony: Likely leadoff hitter versus RHP
Rotowire
Red Sox manager Alex Cora "seems to be leaning toward" batting Anthony leadoff against right-handers, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.
Jarren Duran was Boston's primary leadoff man for most of 2025, but Anthony took over the spot in August and posted a 1.003 OPS in 27 games before an oblique strain ended his season. Anthony is fully healthy now, and while he should remain in the lineup most days against southpaws as well, he'll hit lower in the order when he doesn't have the platoon advantage. Duran is likely to open the season batting third versus righties.
Red Sox's Roman Anthony: Will have normal offseason
Rotowire
Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow said Monday that Anthony (oblique) is asymptomatic and will have a normal offseason, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.
Anthony suffered a left oblique strain in early September that sidelined him for the remainder of the regular season and playoffs. However, the rookie outfielder is heading into the offseason with a clean bill of health. Anthony slashed .292/.396/.463 with eight homers and four steals over 71 contests in his rookie campaign.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Sunday that Anthony (oblique) will continue workouts at the team's complex in Florida during the upcoming week, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.
Anthony won't be part of the Red Sox's roster for the wild-card round of the playoffs, but if he responds well to his upcoming workouts in Florida, he could be activated at some point later in the postseason if the team advances. Before landing on the injured list Sept. 3 due to a left oblique strain, Anthony hit .292 with eight home runs and four stolen bases over his first 71 big-league games.
Red Sox's Roman Anthony: Power walking on treadmill
Rotowire
Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Friday that Anthony (oblique) has progressed to power walking on the treadmill, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.
While it's a modest step forward from his normal walking on a treadmill, it's unclear when Anthony might be ready for baseball activities. A return in time for the American League Wild Card Series -- should the Red Sox qualify -- seems unlikely for Anthony. The rookie outfielder has been shelved for three-plus weeks with a left oblique strain.
