The 2025 campaign has not progressed as the Boston Red Sox had expected prior to the start of the season. They have delivered well below their potential as a unit, in spite of several strong individual performances.
The Red Sox seem to have turned a corner this month with their postseason hopes hanging by a thread. However, injuries are starting to rack up for the team, with some key members missing from their roster.
Red Sox Call Up Top Prospect Roman Anthony As Wilyer Abreu Lands on IL
On Monday, the Red Sox announced that Wilyer Abreu has been transferred to the 10-day IL with a left oblique strain. As a result, the Red Sox have called up their top prospect, Roman Anthony, to fill the vacancy in the outfield.
Manager Alex Cora revealed that the injury occurred during the decisive encounter of the three-game series against the New York Yankees. The Venezuelan right fielder won a Gold Glove last year, and he has been a pivotal contributor to their offense this season.
“It feels like people saw it on TV. I did not. Then yesterday, there was a fly ball he hit to center. I saw him running to first and was like, ‘There’s something going on here.'” Cora told the media ahead on Monday. “He got treatment after the game and got treatment today. We hope it’s not a while. We’ll get more details later on. But I think it makes sense to put him on the IL.”
“This was more about Willy,” Cora added. “We talked about it last night, where he was, probably missing one day or two. But we cannot play shorthanded for an extended period of time. It felt that way. We talked about it today, and this is the decision we made as an organization.”
Wilyer Abreu will go on the IL as the corresponding move for Roman Anthony’s call-up pic.twitter.com/gM4chgQznT
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) June 9, 2025
The injury has paved the way for Anthony to receive his much-anticipated maiden call-up to the major leagues. As per MLB Pipeline, he is the No. 1 overall prospect in the game at present.
Anthony had been tearing it up for Triple-A Worcester, putting up a .288/.423/.491 slash line with 10 home runs in 58 games. The left-handed slugger hit a 497-foot grand slam this past Saturday to continue building his case for a call-up.
‘We’re excited,” Cora said. “It’s not the perfect way of doing it, but he’s here. We’ll use him the right way, and we’ll help him with the adjustments that come with being a big leaguer.”
“Being around him in spring training and all that, he’s a mature kid. He understands his craft. Wants to get better. There are a few things that we still believe he needs to improve, but we’ll help him here, and I think he’s going to be OK.”
Red Sox fans had been clamoring for his promotion, although there was no opening in their outfield until now to bring him in. The 21-year-old is their third elite prospect to make the jump to the MLB this year, following Kristian Campbell and Marcelo Mayer.