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Red Sox Shift Duran to Leadoff as Anthony Hits IL

5/8/2026

27 3 Full Breakdown

Summary

Roman Anthony Injured

Roman Anthony (19) was placed on the 10-day injured list retroactive to May 5 for a sprained ring-finger ligament.
He becomes eligible to return on May 15, prompting the Red Sox to move Jarren Duran to leadoff despite a .255 OBP versus Anthony’s .354.
Fantasy owners should consider waiver-wire outfielders Ezequiel Duran (.304, 13 RBI, 4 SB), JJ Bleday (.303, 4 HR, 7 RBI) or Spencer Jones as a high-risk option.

Summary

Roman Anthony Extends

Roman Anthony signed an eight-year, $130 million extension last summer, making him Boston’s highest-paid rookie.
He finished 2025 with a .292/.396/.463 line, eight homers and 32 RBIs in 71 games.
He placed third in the 2025 AL Rookie of the Year voting.
His contract and early production placed him among the top-10 prospects on MLB’s 2026 power-speed rankings despite missing most of September 2025 after an oblique strain.

Summary

Mickey Gasper Recall

Roman Anthony was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right-wrist sprain, prompting the Red Sox to recall Mickey Gasper from Triple-A.
Gasper has played 58 MLB games, hitting .133 with two homers and 11 RBIs, while Garrett Crochet deals with left-shoulder inflammation and Ranger Suárez a hamstring strain.
Boston entered the Rays series on a three-game winning streak, sitting 16-21 and 1.5 games behind the Rays’ 24-12 record.

History

Historical Context

In 1998 the Red Sox, newly owned by John W. Henry, signed rookie shortstop Nomar Garciaparra to an unprecedented five-year, $23.25 million contract—the first long-term deal for a player fresh from his rookie season. That precedent made the 1999 extension the highest-paying rookie contract at the time, reflecting MLB’s shift toward early, lucrative deals.

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Roman Anthony Injured

Roman Anthony (19) was placed on the 10-day injured list retroactive to May 5 for a sprained ring-finger ligament.
He becomes eligible to return on May 15, prompting the Red Sox to move Jarren Duran to leadoff despite a .255 OBP versus Anthony’s .354.
Fantasy owners should consider waiver-wire outfielders Ezequiel Duran (.304, 13 RBI, 4 SB), JJ Bleday (.303, 4 HR, 7 RBI) or Spencer Jones as a high-risk option.

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