Red Sox's Roman Anthony Facing Defensive Concerns Amid Slow Start

Manager Alex Cora calls out the 21-year-old outfielder's footwork and throwing issues in the early going.

Apr. 5, 2026 at 8:24am

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The Boston Red Sox have seen some defensive lapses from young outfielder Roman Anthony in the early part of the 2026 season, with manager Alex Cora publicly addressing the 21-year-old's struggles with his footwork and throwing accuracy. While Anthony was a standout defender last year, his inability to make key throws to home plate in crucial situations has become a talking point, leading to increased playing time for the speedier Jarren Duran in left field.

Why it matters

The Red Sox are off to a 2-6 start, and Anthony's defensive issues have been one factor contributing to the team's early-season struggles. If the young outfielder can't shore up his glove work, it could lead to more playing time for Duran and put Anthony's long-term role with the team in question.

The details

In three separate games this season, Anthony has made weak throws to home plate that have allowed runners to score. Manager Alex Cora has pointed to Anthony's footwork as the main culprit, noting that the young outfielder needs to improve his fundamentals in the field. While Anthony was a standout defender last year, these early-season lapses have become a talking point, leading Cora to give more playing time to the speedier Jarren Duran in left field.

  • On the Red Sox's first loss of the season on April 3, Anthony made a weak throw home that allowed the winning run to score.
  • On April 8, Anthony again failed to throw out a runner at the plate, this time allowing the go-ahead run to score against the San Diego Padres.
  • Manager Alex Cora addressed Anthony's defensive issues with the media on April 8, prior to the Red Sox's loss to the Padres.

The players

Roman Anthony

A 21-year-old outfielder for the Boston Red Sox who is facing early-season defensive struggles, particularly with his throwing accuracy and footwork.

Alex Cora

The manager of the Boston Red Sox, who has publicly called out Anthony's defensive lapses and emphasized the need for the young outfielder to improve his fundamentals.

Jarren Duran

A Red Sox outfielder known for his speed, who has seen increased playing time in left field as Cora looks to address the team's defensive issues.

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What they’re saying

“'There's a few things that we have to be better (at) defensively and the kid knows it. The other day there was a play, (Carlos) Correa was at second, base hit to left and we got to throw him out and he knows it. It's footwork. His footwork has been off.'”

— Alex Cora, Manager, Boston Red Sox

“'We have to improve. It's not only him, it's everybody. Jarren plays the ball really, really well here (in left). We'll play him whenever we feel like it out there. But there's stuff that we have to improve as a group, and that's part of Roman's development.'”

— Alex Cora, Manager, Boston Red Sox

What’s next

The Red Sox will continue to monitor Anthony's defensive progress, and Cora has indicated that Duran could see more playing time in left field if Anthony's issues persist.

The takeaway

Roman Anthony's early-season defensive struggles have become a concern for the struggling Red Sox, with manager Alex Cora publicly calling out the young outfielder's footwork and throwing issues. If Anthony can't shore up his glove work, it could lead to more playing time for the speedier Jarren Duran and put Anthony's long-term role with the team in question.