The Boston Red Sox had to make some difficult decisions to activate Roman Anthony and Trevor Story on Sunday.
The team optioned Mickey Gasper and Anthony Seigler to make room for their two returning stars. Both have stepped up big time as of late, but Anthony and Story needed spots on the roster. Gasper has reached base 12 times in 16 plate appearances on the Red Sox's current road trip and has two home runs and three RBIs as well. Seigler has a .906 OPS on the road trip as well.
"He very possibly might win player of the week," Tracy said of Gasper. "There's a very good chance he might get an American League Player of the Week that we just had to send down. I wouldn't doubt it. How difficult is it? Very difficult. It was bittersweet. Like, I really mean it. We're really excited that Roman's here. We're really excited that Trevor's here, but, like we have to talk to two guys that were instrumental over this stretch and helped our team get back to where it is right now, and professionally explain to them the reasons you're doing what you're doing, and keep them focused to go down and continue to get reps so that they're ready for the next call."
Gasper has a .423/.595/.1.115 slash line this month. However, he plays first base and would really only fit in as a designated hitter in the lineup. With Anthony back and expected to split time between left field and designated hitter, Gasper's path to the lineup was going to be very difficult.
Similarly, Seigler was not going to play a ton with Story back. Andruw Monasterio will likely take the bulk of the work at second base now, with Nick Sogard helping out. Monasterio could also get starts at designated hitter when Anthony is in left field, and the Red Sox don't want Duran in the lineup.
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