Red Sox Star Roman Anthony Placed on IL with Oblique Injury, Could Miss 4-6 Weeks

Boston Red Sox star rookie Roman Anthony has been placed on the injured list with an oblique strain, manager Alex Cora told reporters Wednesday.

Cora said recovery from Anthony's injury "usually takes from four to six weeks," per MassLive's Chris Cotillo.

Anthony exited the Red Sox's Tuesday night win over the Cleveland Guardians after four innings with what Cora initially described as left oblique tightness, per ESPN.

His absence will be a significant blow for a Red Sox team heading into Wednesday just 2.5 games back of the Toronto Blue Jays for the top of the AL East.

The New York Yankees, who are also 2.5 games back for the division lead, face the Red Sox the weekend of Sept. 12.

Boston will now have to take on that crucial series without a player who has played a key role in helping push the team into Wild Card contention.

The Red Sox sat fourth in the division and out of the postseason picture with a 32-26 record as of June 9.

Anthony, who went into the season as the top-ranked prospect in MLB, made his debut with the club on June 10.

The Red Sox have gone 46-36 since that date, a resurgence that has come at least in part because of Anthony's contributions on offense.

The 21-year-old was named AL Rookie of the Month for August after slashing .304/.390/.520 with six home runs, 13 RBI and two stolen bases in 26 games.

The Red Sox have 22 games and just under four weeks remaining in the regular season. The four-to-six week recovery timeline described by Cora means he could still be sidelined for the start of the 2025 postseason.

Boston signaled its faith in Anthony last month by signing him to an eight-year, $130 million extension that will keep him under team control until 2034, per ESPN's Jeff Passan.

Boston will need to consider Anthony's long-term health while also attempting to get him back on the field as soon as possible.