Red Sox rookie Roman Anthony headed for MRI after exit with oblique tightness

BOSTON — Rookie outfielder Roman Anthony exited Tuesday night’s 11-7 win over the Cleveland Guardians with left oblique tightness and is headed for an MRI. Manager Alex Cora said that the Red Sox will know more about Anthony on Wednesday.

Anthony struck out in the fourth inning and appeared to have tweaked something on the swing, grabbing at his back area as he headed back to the dugout. In the top of the fifth, Anthony was replaced by Nate Eaton in right field.

Anthony said he’s never dealt with oblique issues before and felt it for the first time in that at-bat.

“I felt it today on the check swing, the pitch before I swung and missed for a strikeout,” he said.

The 21-year-old missed two games in early August with mild back tightness but noted that the oblique tightness feels more severe. “This is definitely worse in terms of the way it feels, but that’s right now,” he said. “We’ll just have to re-evaluate tomorrow and see where we are when the MRI comes back.”

Anthony said he’s not sure what his level of concern is and doesn’t know whether this will require an injured list stint.

“I don’t know. I wish I knew,” he said. “I haven’t dealt with something like this before so I’d be lying if I said I know.”

Since debuting June 9, the 21-year-old rookie was hitting .292 with an .859 OPS in 71 games. In the midst of a playoff hunt, losing Anthony for any amount of time would be a tough blow for Boston’s offense.

“It sucks, I’m hoping for the best and staying positive,” Anthony said. “But anytime I’m not out there it’s tough. It sucks.”

(Photo: Winslow Townson / Getty Images)