In a spring training game against the Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox outfielders Roman Anthony and Ceddanne Rafaela collided on a fly ball but avoided serious injuries during the team's 15-8 defeat at CoolToday Park. Prospect Marcelo Mayer marked his return from wrist surgery with a solo home run in his debut. Manager Alex Cora emphasized the need for better communication to prevent such incidents.
The incident occurred in the bottom of the first inning on a fly ball to left-center by Jurickson Profar. Center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela, the 2025 American League Gold Glove Award winner, moved to make the catch as left fielder Roman Anthony ran into him, resulting from a communication mishap.
"Lack of communication," said manager Alex Cora. "We gotta be better. When that [communication] doesn't happen, things like that can happen."
Rafaela explained, "We both called it, and I thought I got it, and he thought he got it. It was a misunderstanding."
Cora noted the priority rules: "That’s popup priority. Center fielder over left fielder. If he calls it, it’s the center fielder’s ball."
Both players lay on the ground for several minutes, raising concerns among teammates. Second baseman Marcelo Mayer said, "That's our starting center fielder and left fielder. You don't want to see those guys go down, especially before the [World Baseball Classic]. They want to represent their countries, and you don't want to see them have a small injury and then miss that tournament, or even worse, miss the season. So it's definitely a little scary. They're both strong dudes. They seem to be fine. So a big relief for the team."
Rafaela, who felt soreness in his right hamstring, was removed in the fourth inning for a massage but expects to return Saturday. Anthony described the impact: "It just got me in a weird spot in my arm. Just one of those weird things, kind of knocked the wind out of me, and then just got me in a weird spot."
In positive news, Mayer, returning after right wrist surgery last August, hit a solo home run to right field off Braves closer Raisel Iglesias in his first game action since July 23. The 381-foot drive had an exit velocity of 105.3 mph.
"He's a stud," said Anthony of Mayer. "I've known that for a while, so nothing he really does surprises me."
Mayer reflected, "It felt great. It's been a long time. So I was just excited to play a game of baseball again."
Cora remains confident: "Most likely he'll run with it. I have no doubts that he's a capable big leaguer."
The game took place in North Port, Florida, highlighting early spring training dynamics for the Red Sox outfield and infield prospects.