The Boston Red Sox suffered a narrow defeat to the Baltimore Orioles, losing 8-7 in a spring training matchup at JetBlue Park on Sunday afternoon. The Red Sox had a chance to tie the game in the ninth inning but failed to capitalize, leaving the tying run stranded at second base with no outs.
Ranger Suarez made his final spring appearance for the Red Sox, pitching three innings before heading off to represent Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic. Willson Contreras showcased an impressive performance, hitting a home run that cleared the Green Monster and finishing with two hits, elevating his spring batting average to .426 and OPS to 1.563. He will also compete for Venezuela in the upcoming tournament.
Roman Anthony, a promising outfielder for the Red Sox, shared his unexpected journey to making the Team USA roster while speaking with MLB Network’s Chris Young. Initially focused on preparing for his first full season with the Red Sox, Anthony’s plans changed dramatically after Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll withdrew from the World Baseball Classic due to injury. With a roster spot now available, he received a call from Alex Cora and an invitation from Team USA manager Mark DeRosa that he quickly accepted.
Anthony recalled, “For me, growing up, it’s been a dream of mine. Coming into spring, didn’t really expect it.” At just 21 years old, Anthony is set to be the youngest player on Team USA. He has fond memories of the tournament, having attended the championship game in 2023, where he witnessed the thrilling match between Team USA and Japan.
Fortunately, Anthony’s path to the tournament was nearly derailed by a collision with teammate Ceddanne Rafaela during a game against Atlanta. Both players chased a fly ball, resulting in a hard collision that raised concerns about their health just days before the World Baseball Classic. Thankfully, Anthony emerged with minor discomfort while Rafaela experienced tightening in his hamstring but both avoided serious injuries.
The Red Sox are sending multiple players to the World Baseball Classic, including Anthony and Garrett Whitlock representing Team USA. Other players include Rafaela for the Netherlands, Jarren Duran for Mexico, Wilyer Abreu alongside Contreras and Suarez for Venezuela, and Brayan Bello for the Dominican Republic.
Team USA is set to kick off their tournament play on March 6 against Brazil in Houston. For Roman Anthony, the call to join Team USA has turned a childhood dream into a reality and sets the stage for what promises to be an exhilarating few weeks on the international baseball stage before he returns to the Red Sox for the MLB season. This opportunity not only highlights his talent but also his readiness to embrace challenges at a higher level of competition.