Roman Anthony was supposed to be the guy carrying the Boston Red Sox offense in 2026. Through 39 games, the 21-year-old outfielder hasn't just struggled at the plate—he's also spent more time on the trainer's table than anyone hoped.

Anthony entered the season with sky-high expectations, but his slash line of .229/.354/.321 and a below-average 95 OPS+ tell a frustrating story. Just as he started showing signs of breaking out, his body kept getting in the way.

It started with a back tweak that cost him four games from April 22-26. He returned and played eight games, hitting .241 and looking like he was finally turning the corner. Then came the swing that changed everything.

During a May 4 game against the Tigers, Anthony swung awkwardly and immediately grabbed his right wrist. He left the game, missed the rest of the series, and was placed on the 10-day injured list. It's his second IL stint in his short big-league career—he also missed the final 25 games of 2025 with an oblique strain from another awkward swing.

Here's where it gets concerning for Red Sox fans. According to BaseballSavant, Anthony generates one of the hardest swings in baseball at 75.6 mph, ranking in the 92nd percentile among qualified hitters. Every single injury he's sustained has happened during a swing. That pattern suggests his explosive mechanics might be working against him.

For a player expected to be the cornerstone of Boston's lineup, these recurring injuries are more than bad luck. They're a red flag that the organization—and Anthony himself—needs to address before they become a permanent part of his story.