Roman Anthony and Trevor Story Are Back — and the Red Sox’s September plans just changed

Anthony, out since early May with a hand/wrist issue, was placed in the top of the lineup and took a DH role to limit his in‑field workload while keeping his bat in the lineup. He doubled in his first at‑bat back, an encouraging sign but not proof of full readiness.

Story, who had surgery for a sports hernia in May, returned to shortstop and occupied the lower half of the order in his first game back. His presence stabilizes Boston’s infield defense and allows Kevin rotations that had been necessary while he was out to settle back toward regular positions.

To open spots, Boston optioned Mickey Gasper — a hot bench bat — and Anthony Seigler to Triple‑A Worcester. Those are meaningful moves: Gasper has been a productive depth piece, and optioning him underscores that Anthony’s bat is expected in the everyday mix when healthy.

Because optioned players must remain in the Minors for at least 10 days unless another move intervenes, the club now carries less in‑season flexibility for quick bench swaps without creating new roster churn.

Beyond immediate box‑score impact, Anthony and Story change Boston’s matchup calculus. The Red Sox are no longer forced to lean on platoons or position‑shuffling in late innings, which matters in a tight wild‑card chase where marginal lineup advantages compound.

That said, the ultimate payoff depends on durability. Both players missed more than three months; how the staff manages daily workload and matchups — especially against same‑handed pitching or in extra‑inning scenarios — will determine how much of an impact they deliver down the stretch.