What happened: Per ESPN, Roman Anthony will miss the AL Wild Card Series with hand and wrist injuries. Manager Chad Tracy said muscle damage in the wrist differs from the finger injury Anthony previously suffered. The club sent Anthony home, ruling him out for this series and the next.

Why it matters: Boston opens the postseason without one of its key bats in the lineup. The absence removes a middle-of-the-order option for a short series with no margin for adjustment. It also forces Boston to reset its outfield alignment and leadoff duties immediately.

What to watch: Boston will finalize its wild-card roster without Anthony. Watch who draws the start in his outfield spot in Game 1.