Roman Anthony ‘getting close’ to rehab goal, not with Red Sox in New York

Pump the brakes on a potential Roman Anthony return — for now.

The young Boston Red Sox star is not with the big-league club on Friday for the first game of this weekend’s four-game slate with the New York Yankees in the Bronx. 

Some had hoped Friday would mark Anthony’s first game back with the team since injuring his wrist on May 4. However, he’s still with the Triple-A Worcester Red Sox on his rehab assignment.

He’s not in the WooSox’ Friday night starting lineup, but his belongings are still in Worcester’s clubhouse, according to the Worcester Telegram and Gazette’s Tommy Cassell.

A Saturday return to the bigs doesn’t seem likely, either, despite the Red Sox’ roster expanding from 26 to 27 players due to a split doubleheader. WooSox manager Iggy Suarez said on Friday Anthony is scheduled to be in Worcester’s starting lineup for Saturday’s 4:05 p.m. ET contest (via NESN‘s Bridgette Proulx).

Suarez noted there was no setback in the player’s recovery.

Anthony, 22, has played in seven games between the Double-A Portland SeaDogs and the WooSox since Aug. 18. To the naked eye, he looks all but ready to make his triumphant return to the Red Sox, who look like an entirely different version of themselves since he was last active with the club.

The left-handed hitter is slashing .304/.370/.652 with a 1.022 OPS thus far in his minor league rehab tenure. He’s clubbed two home runs and doubles each and driven in seven runs. To pair, he’s scored and walked three times apiece.

Despite Anthony’s overwhelming success during his rehab stint, it’s clear the player and the organization aren’t ready to push the button just yet.

Anthony spoke to NESN after Thursday’s game at Polar Park about how he’s feeling physically since beginning his rehab assignment.

“Yeah,” he said when asked if he’s feeling good. “I’m feeling like I’m getting more and more at-bats. Getting to where I want to be at the plate. 

“Am I quite there yet? Probably not. But I’m getting close to where I want to be. But like I said, I’ll be ready when the time’s right.”

Boston interim manager Chad Tracy told reporters on Friday there’s a chance Anthony could return Sunday (via The Boston Globe‘s Tim Healey).

Perhaps more likely, Anthony could return when the Red Sox are home for their series against the Seattle Mariners beginning Monday to keep his travel to a minimum, barring a setback.

At the end of the day, it’s better for Boston to be safe than sorry in Anthony’s ramp-up process. Given his painstakingly lengthy recovery process since May, a few more at-bats at Triple-A won’t hurt.

MLB rosters expand from 26 to 28 players on Sept. 1 through the end of the regular season, anyway, which would pave a simple path for Anthony’s return.

Kaley Brown

Sports producer

Kaley Brown is a sports producer for Boston.com, where she covers the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox.