Roman Anthony and Trevor Story have rejoined the Red Sox after lengthy injury absences, adding some potential firepower to Boston’s lineup for the stretch run this season.
The Red Sox activated Anthony and Story from the 60-day injured list before Sunday’s four-game series finale against the New York Yankees in Yankee Stadium.
Catcher Mickey Gasper and infielder Anthony Seigler were optioned to Triple-A Worcester in corresponding moves, creating spots on the 26-man roster for Anthony and Story.
Anthony will bat leadoff as Boston’s designated hitter Sunday afternoon while Story will bat eighth and start at shortstop.
The Red Sox have rebounded from a slow start to the season and surged into postseason contention without Anthony and Story, but All-Star first baseman Willson Contreras said he was excited for the injured stars to return.
“I think it’s really important for us to get those guys back,” Contreras said. “We need them.”
Anthony had been sidelined since May 4 because of nagging wrist and finger injuries. The former top prospect had only one home run and a .675 OPS in 30 games before the IL stint but has flashed his usual power during his minor league rehab assignment, with two homers and a .967 OPS in eight games.
Story’s last game with the Red Sox was May 14. The two-time All-Star underwent sports hernia surgery May 22.
Boston was 18-25 at the time of Story’s injury but has since turned around its season thanks to contributions from various players on the roster.
The Red Sox (74-62) enter Sunday six games ahead of the Cleveland Guardians (68-68) for the American League’s second wild card and three games behind the rival Yankees (77-59), who hold the top wild card.
Anthony figures to resume his previous role alternating between left field and DH, but the Red Sox face a more difficult situation with Story, who had a .547 OPS in 41 games before his injury.
Andruw Monasterio, Nick Sogard and Tsung-Che Cheng handled shortstop during Story’s absence.
Contreras said it was “important to recognize the job or the work that the whole lineup has been putting in for the last three months” and noted that the Red Sox faced “tough decisions” in terms of which players to remove from the roster.
“I think those are tough decisions to make,” he said. “I don’t know what’s going to happen [Sunday], but we do have to recognize the job that the guys are doing for this team, and we couldn’t have done what we’ve done without them.”
