Is Roman Anthony Playing Friday? Red Sox Reveal Lineup for Orioles Opener

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Boston Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony

With each passing day, minimal concerns turn more significant with regard to Roman Anthony's back injury.  

The Boston Red Sox's 21-year-old star outfielder sustained the injury on Tuesday against the New York Yankees, later clarifying that it occurred on a swing. He sat out the final two games of the series, which concluded in an embarrassing sweep for Boston at the hands of its arch-rival.

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Postgame on Thursday, Anthony told reporters he was hopeful he would be able to return "in the next couple days," setting up hope that he could start Friday's series opener against the Baltimore Orioles. But when the lineup dropped for that contest, Anthony's name wasn't in it. 

For the third consecutive game, Jarren Duran is leading off and playing left field, Anthony's two usual haunts. Boston is facing Baltimore right-hander Brandon Young, who will be making his 14th major league start. He's posted a 5.74 ERA since making his debut last June, so facing him might have been a nice way for Anthony to try to get his bat into gear.

Anthony's back is becoming a hot topic in Red Sox circles, as he had a brief tweak last August that cost him a couple of games before the oblique injury in September that cost him the rest of the season. That's three times a swing has caused him to miss time in roughly four months as a major leaguer. 

The sooner Anthony returns, the more the noise can be quieted. But there have to be at least some concerns within the organization about the youngster's ability to stay on the field.

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