Anthony, Story rejoin Red Sox for finale vs. Yanks

Roman Anthony and Trevor Story will rejoin the Boston Red Sox for Sunday's series finale against the New York Yankees.

Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy confirmed that Anthony and Story are set to return from their extended stints on the injured list but said Boston was still undecided on specific roster moves.

"They're coming," Tracy told reporters Saturday, according to MLB.com. "Not sure what we're doing yet [with the roster], and we'll figure that out."

Anthony and Story were both removed early from their minor league rehab game Saturday at Triple-A Worcester and were spotted leaving the ballpark together with their bags packed.

The Red Sox have rebounded from a slow start to the season and surged into postseason contention without Anthony and Story, but All-Star first baseman Willson Contreras said he as excited for the injured stars to return.

"I think it's really important for us to get those guys back," Contreras said. "We need them."

Anthony has been sidelined since May 4 because of nagging injuries to his wrist and finger. The former top prospect had only one home run and a .675 OPS in 30 games before the IL stint but has flashed his usual power during his minor league rehab assignment, with two homers and a .967 OPS in eight games.

Story's last game with the Red Sox was May 14. The two-time All-Star underwent sports hernia surgery on May 22.

Boston was 18-25 at the time of Story's injury but has since turned around its season thanks to contributions from various players on the roster.

The Red Sox (74-62) enter Sunday six games ahead of the Cleveland Guardians (68-68) for the American League's second wild card and three games behind the rival Yankees (77-59), who hold the top wild card.

Anthony figures to resume his previous role alternating between left field and designated hitter, but the Red Sox face a more difficult situation with Story, who had a .547 OPS in 41 games before his injury.

Andruw Monasterio, Nick Sogard and Tsung-Che Cheng have handled shortstop during Story's absence.

Contreras said it was "important to recognize the job or the work that the whole lineup has been putting in for the last three months" and noted that the Red Sox faced "tough decisions" in terms of which players to remove from the 26-man roster in order to activate both Anthony and Story.

"I think those are tough decisions to make," he said. "I don't know what's going to happen [Sunday], but we do have to recognize the job that the guys are doing for this team, and we couldn't have done what we've done without them."