Boston Red Sox catcher Adley Rutschman is set to begin a minor league rehab assignment in Worcester on Saturday as he recovers from left wrist inflammation. Meanwhile, interim manager Chad Tracy provided an encouraging progression update on injured outfielder Roman Anthony ahead of the team’s series against the Athletics.
The Boston Red Sox are steering toward the stretch run of the 2026 Major League Baseball season with reinforcements on the horizon. Following a high-profile trade deadline acquisition from the Baltimore Orioles, switch-hitting catcher Adley Rutschman is closing in on his organizational debut. Interim manager Chad Tracy shared positive developments regarding both Rutschman and sidelined outfielder Roman Anthony, injecting optimism into a surging Boston lineup.
Adley Rutschman Trades the Injured List for Triple-A Worcester Rehab
Rutschman joined the Red Sox via a trade with the Orioles that sent minor league prospects Carlos Narváez, Anthony Eyanson, Kyson Witherspoon, Enddy Azocar, and a player to be named later to Baltimore. Sidelined since July 18 due to left wrist inflammation, the three-time All-Star spent four days participating in a full battery of baseball activities at the team’s facility before getting the green light for game action.
The initial plan calls for a measured workload behind the plate.
Interim manager Chad Tracy stated after the game that Adley’s going to play Saturday, catching five innings and getting two to three at-bats.
Tracy noted that because it is his first game back, the medical staff will monitor how the left wrist responds before mapping out his major league activation.
Roman Anthony Advances Past Tee Work into Machine Batting Practice
Outfielder Roman Anthony is also clearing physical hurdles after missing more than three months of action. Anthony has been out since May 4 after sustaining a torn ligament beneath his right ring finger on a checked swing.
After weeks of encountering discomfort while hitting off a tee, Anthony has graduated to facing overhand batting practice and hitting off a machine. Tracy emphasized that the team remains cautious with the young outfielder, waiting for him to pass every medical threshold before considering a rehab assignment.
“All things are positive. Let him keep taking steps, temper expectations until he crosses and checks all these boxes, then we’ll see when we can get him here.”
Chad Tracy, interim manager
The next phase in Anthony’s hitting progression involves facing a Trajekt machine capable of simulating opposing major league pitchers. Because Anthony maintained his running, fielding, and throwing routines throughout his absence, club staff believe he can ramp up quickly once he clears high-velocity live pitching.
Roster Flexibility and Bullpen Management Sparked by Exhausting Extravaganza
Depth management remains a priority for Tracy and general manager Craig Breslow as the team handles the grueling 162-game schedule. Following a marathon 13-inning victory over the Athletics that forced the coaching staff to deploy the entire bullpen, the Red Sox made a surprising roster shuffle.
Right-hander Greg Weissert, who leads the team in appearances with a 3.97 ERA across 48 games, was optioned to Triple-A Worcester to secure a fresh arm. Left-hander Raymond Burgos was added to provide bulk relief capability, holding 90-to-100-pitch readiness if needed.
Tracy acknowledged the difficulty of optioning a dependable reliever but emphasized the necessity of roster preservation.
“It’s obvious after using the entire bullpen last night, when you get into a spot looking at that, it’s imperative that we have an arm that’s got 90 to 100 pitches if you need it, because we’re thin, obviously.”
Chad Tracy, interim manager
With a high-performing roster sitting 12 games over .500 at 63-51, the imminent arrival of both Rutschman and Anthony provides a formidable boost to a ballclub hunting for an October postseason run.