Alex Cora explains his decision to slot Roman Anthony at DH early this season

“There are a few things we have to be better at defensively, and the kid knows it.”

Roman Anthony has been seeing consistent action as Boston’s designated hitter this season. (Photo by Jaiden Tripi/Getty Images)

Roman Anthony hasn’t had the best start to the Red Sox season, particularly in the outfield. That hasn’t gone unnoticed by Boston’s skipper Alex Cora.

Cora has used Anthony at DH a few times already this season, with his latest stint coming Saturday against the Padres. When asked about the move, Cora shared his blunt reasoning.

“There’s a few things we have to be better with defensively,” Cora said before Game 2 versus the Padres. “And the kid knows it. The other day, there was a play where [Carlos] Correa was at second base and there was a base hit to left, and we have to throw him out. He knows it, we have to improve.

“It’s not only him, it’s everybody.”

To his credit, Anthony gave the Red Sox offense some life it desperately needed Saturday. He hit a triple into the corner and added another base hit to advance Ceddanne Rafaela to third base.

In the ninth inning, Cora stuck Anthony back in left field, but his luck didn’t turn. With the Padres in scoring position, a chopper to left field tested Anthony’s arm once again, and his throw was off line, allowing San Diego to take a 3-2 lead.

Despite Anthony receiving an error on the throw, Cora actually defended the young outfielder for that play when he spoke to reporters postgame.

“I thought that was better. Much better,” Cora said. “He got the angle. I know the ball tailed … but there was more conviction behind it. That was really good.”

With the hesitation and off-rhythm footwork gone, Anthony had a lot more power behind that throw than some of his earlier miscues. But he still has plenty of improvements to make with the defensive side of his game.

The former No. 1 prospect in baseball has been good, not great, to start the year. He’s batting .231 with a home run and two RBIs thus far. Boston as a whole has not shown itself to be a contender early. It carries an abysmal 2-6 record into Sunday’s afternoon rubber match against the Padres. First pitch is set for 1:35 p.m. from Fenway Park.

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