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\u201cIt\u2019s more about just continuing to walk through not only physically how they feel, but walk through reps, timing, all those things. So we\u2019ll keep talking to them and figure it out. Sunday\u2019s possible, but we\u2019ll see how they feel after Saturday.\u201d<\/p>\n
Anthony (sprained right hand\/wrist) has been out since early May. Story (sports hernia surgery) hasn\u2019t played since mid-May.<\/p>\n
![\"Red](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/K7PDUB2I5VDUHBPN4UHBMTLSAY.jpeg\")
Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony began his minor league rehab assignment at Double-A Portland on Aug. 18, and then moved up to Triple-A Worcester Tuesday. Alex Speier\/Globe Staff<\/p>\n
Across seven games with Worcester and Double-A Portland, Anthony is 7 for 23 with two homers, two doubles, seven strikeouts, and three walks. In nine games, all with Worcester, Story is 5 for 32 with no extra-base hits, 10 strikeouts, and one walk.<\/p>\n
\u201cPhysically, they feel like they\u2019re close to being ready, but then you still know that they\u2019re working through stuff as far as game play,\u201d Tracy said. \u201c \u2018Hey, I feel good, I can compete, probably an extra at-bat here wouldn\u2019t hurt.\u2019 So that\u2019s where we\u2019re at.\u201d<\/p>\n
It helps, of course, that Mickey Gasper <\/b>had a huge week or so as the primary designated hitter and the middle infield has remained just fine sans Story. The Red Sox aren\u2019t desperate.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith the injuries we had, particularly in the infield, I think a lot of people probably [expect] when you\u2019re tapping that far into your depth \u2026 OK, that\u2019ll fall apart,\u201d Tracy said. \u201cIt speaks volume of the guys. Everybody that\u2019s come up has been awesome.\u201d<\/p>\n
Isiah Kiner-Falefa <\/b>(left forearm stress reaction) also was off Friday and will play Saturday with Worcester. He is more likely to return Tuesday, the annual Sept. 1 expansion of active rosters from 26 to 28 players.<\/p>\n
Whitlock update<\/p>\n
The Red Sox \u201clikely\u201d will bring reliever Garrett Whitlock <\/b>(right elbow inflammation) back from the injured list on Saturday, Tracy said.<\/p>\n
Why not Friday? Because he faced hitters in a practice setting Wednesday, and the Red Sox didn\u2019t want to use him twice in three days immediately after his stint of not pitching at all. (Such a scenario also would have rendered him unavailable for the doubleheader Saturday.)<\/p>\n
This way, Whitlock will return fresh, following consecutive days off.<\/p>\n
![\"Red](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/VZAZ7ALDFUJJTZXPZ7B2U42DWQ.jpg\")
Red Sox catcher Adley Rutschman (left) was last seen on the field Monday, shaking closer Aroldis Chapman’s hand after the win in Miami. Rutschman returned to the lineup Friday night for the series opener at the Yankees, and went 0 for 4 in the 1-0 loss.Lynne Sladky\/AP Photo\/Lynne Sladky<\/p>\n
Rutschman returns<\/p>\n
Adley Rutschman <\/b>was back in the lineup Friday night, playing catcher and batting fifth, after missing the previous two games because of a hyperextended right elbow. He still wore a sleeve on that arm, but is generally fine. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s good,\u201d Tracy said. \u201cI put him in [the lineup] with the expectation he could play, and then he was going to come in and hit and throw. He did all those things early and felt good. So we got him back.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rutschman entered the game in a 1-for-17 slide, and went hitless in four at-bats, with two strikeouts. Take out his pair of two-hit games against Arizona back on Aug. 17-18, and in his other 11 games for the Sox the former Oriole is just 2 for 36 at the plate, with 14 strikeouts and five walks. <\/p>\n
Movement on Crochet<\/p>\n
Garrett Crochet <\/b>(left shoulder injury) has advanced to \u201cmound catch,\u201d Tracy said. That is less than a full-fledged bullpen session but more than regular catch \u2026 Tanner Houck <\/b>(Tommy John surgery) faced hitters for the fourth time Friday and will graduate on Tuesday to pitching in a scrimmage with low-level minor leaguers \u2026 The Red Sox signed veteran catcher Tomas Nido <\/b>to a minor league contract, and assigned him to Triple-A Worcester \u2026 In attendance at Yankee Stadium: former Red Sox and Yankees reliever Adam Ottavino<\/b>, who was credentialed as a photographer. He has pursued broadcasting\/multimedia endeavors since last pitching last year.<\/p>\n
Tim Healey can be reached at timothy.healey@globe.com<\/a>. Follow him @timbhealey<\/a>.<\/p>\n