Big news for Red Sox fans: top prospect Roman Anthony is making significant progress in his return from a right wrist sprain. The 21-year-old outfielder was placed on the injured list on May 7, retroactive to May 5, but recent updates suggest he's closing in on a comeback.

According to The Boston Globe's Tim Healey, Anthony has already ditched the protective brace on his sprained right hand and wrist. Even more encouraging? He played catch for the first time since the injury. "Tangible progress," Healey noted, though Anthony hasn't started any hitting drills yet.

The positive momentum doesn't stop there. Red Sox manager Chad Tracy revealed that Anthony could begin a hitting progression as early as this weekend. A cortisone shot administered several days ago has also helped ease the pain, making his return timeline look much brighter.

Anthony's absence has been felt in Boston's lineup, which has struggled to find consistency. While his wrist issue isn't the sole reason for the team's offensive woes, it hasn't helped. The young slugger hasn't quite hit his stride this season, but his raw talent means he could catch fire at any moment—provided he's healthy.

The Red Sox currently sit at 18-25 entering Friday's action, but the season is far from lost. They're just three games back of a wild-card spot, and getting Anthony back could be the spark they need to turn things around. For a player with his ceiling, every step toward full health is a step toward reviving Boston's playoff hopes.