MLB Notebook: Roman Anthony, Trevor Story return to Red Sox; Crow-Armstong puts on a show at Wrigley

Red Sox reporters can finally stop posting on social media about whether Roman Anthony is in the WooSox lineup, getting a day off or leaving the ballpark with his bags packed.

The long wait appears to be over with both Anthony and Trevor Story to be activated before Sunday afternoon’s series finale against the Yankees, according to MassLive’s Chris Cotillo.

“A source said things were ‘trending’ toward activation,” Cotillo wrote Saturday, adding that “it appears only a late setback would prevent that from happening.”

The Sox will option Mickey Gasper and Anthony Seigler to Triple-A Worcester to make room for the returning Anthony and Story. 

Both players were headed to New York on Saturday night after completing their rehab assignments with Triple-A Worcester, and interim manager Chad Tracy indicated following Boston’s 9-2 loss that he expects them to play Sunday.

“I think so,” Tracy said when asked if Anthony and Story would be in the lineup.

“They’re coming,” Tracy said. “Not sure what we’re doing yet. We’ll figure that out. Obviously, they went through everything [with their rehab assignments] … We’re gonna talk through what we’re gonna do.”

For a Red Sox team preparing for one of its biggest games of the season, the reinforcements couldn’t arrive at a better time.

Boston enters Sunday three games behind New York for the top American League Wild Card spot. The teams are tied 6-6 in the season series, meaning the winner of Sunday’s finale will own the head-to-head tiebreaker should they finish the regular season with identical records.

Anthony’s return to the Red Sox lineup has been months in the making.

The 22-year-old hasn’t played for Boston since May 4, when he tore a ligament under his right ring finger on a swing against the Tigers. What initially appeared as though it might be a relatively short absence turned into a painstaking recovery that prevented Anthony from swinging a bat throughout June and July.

He finally began swinging off a tee earlier this month before beginning his rehab assignment Aug. 18.

“I feel like I’m ready,” Anthony told reporters at Polar Park on Saturday. “I’ve felt somewhat ready since the first game in Portland.”

Anthony certainly looked ready during his rehab assignment. He went 7-for-25 (.280) with two homers, two doubles and seven RBI in eight games between Double-A Portland and Worcester, posting a .367 on-base percentage, .600 slugging percentage and .967 OPS.

After Saturday’s game at Polar Park, the Worcester Telegram & Gazette’s Tommy Cassell noted that Anthony’s locker had been cleared and his belongings were being taken out of the clubhouse.

Anthony initially told reporters he wasn’t sure whether he was headed to New York, but made it clear he was anxious to get back.

“I’m excited to get back,” Anthony said. “I’m excited to just get back to the normalcy of seeing the guys and being around the boys and for it to be a different environment, for sure.”

Before the injury, Anthony was hitting .229/.354/.321 with one homer, five doubles, a triple and five RBI in 130 plate appearances. His underlying numbers offered more encouragement, including a 15.4% walk rate, 21.6% chase rate, 47.4% hard-hit rate and 92.3 mph average exit velocity.

Tracy said Anthony is expected to return to the leadoff spot against right-handed pitching and could remain there against some lefties. He figures to receive at-bats in left field and at designated hitter.

Story’s return has followed a slightly different path.

The 33-year-old hasn’t played for Boston since May 14 and underwent surgery May 21 to repair a sports hernia. Unlike Anthony, Story struggled offensively during his rehab assignment, going 6-for-35 (.171) with one double, three RBI, one walk and 11 strikeouts over 10 games for Worcester.

Story was hitting just .206 with three homers and seven doubles over 176 plate appearances before surgery, but the Red Sox are hoping a healthy version of the veteran can provide more production down the stretch.

His return should also restore some stability at shortstop, where Story is expected to resume his role as the starter.

Getting two regulars back creates another problem, albeit one the Red Sox won’t mind having this time of year.

Boston will need to clear two spots on the active roster, with Seigler and Gasper optioned to Worcester, the Sox' roster is set and both players will need to wait 10 days before being recalled unless a player is placed on the injured list.

Gasper had made Craig Breslow's decision on