Red Sox's Roman Anthony Says 'Amazing' MLB Call-Up Was 'A Little Bit of a Blur'

The much-anticipated MLB debut for Boston Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony on Monday night against the Tampa Bay Rays came after a whirlwind day for the 21-year-old.

Speaking to reporters about his promotion, Anthony called it "amazing" to reach the big leagues as he acknowledged his call-up was "a little bit of a blur" because it took a little while to know for certain it was happening on this day.

"I was just kind of waiting around in the food room with a few of the guys, and then all of a sudden, he came out and just said, 'Hey, you're going to the big leagues.' From there on out it's kind of been a little bit of a blur. But it was amazing. You dream of that every single day. So, to finally hear it was definitely awesome."

The Red Sox didn't officially announce Anthony's promotion until 5:18 p.m. ET, less than two hours before first pitch. He wasn't included in their original lineup released in the afternoon.

Anthony was on the bus with the rest of his Worcester Red Sox teammates in Triple-A waiting to go for their next game, but their departure was delayed because Boston might need someone to fill in.

When the Red Sox placed Wilyer Abreu on the 10-day injured list with an oblique strain, it created an opening in the outfield for Anthony to fill. He was slotted in the No. 5 spot in the lineup and playing right field.

Anthony, the No. 1 prospect in MLB, finished his first big league game 0-for-4 with one RBI in Boston's 10-8 loss to the Rays.

The Florida native was selected with the No. 79 overall pick in the 2022 draft that the Red Sox received as compensation for Eduardo Rodriguez signing with the Detroit Tigers. He was hitting .288/.423/.491 with 10 homers in 212 at-bats in Triple-A this season prior to his call-up.