BOSTON — Manager Alex Cora had a straightforward message for Roman Anthony after an MRI revealed that the Red Sox star rookie suffered a left oblique strain .

“I told him to envision ALCS, first at-bat,” Cora said Wednesday. “That’s what I told him. Just put that goal in your mind and hopefully it happens.”

Anthony is not setting a timeline for his return from an oblique strain but vows to work hard to return as soon as possible. A 4-to-6 week absence is about typical for this type of injury , Cora said.

Anthony left Tuesday’s game after his fourth inning at-bat with left oblique tightness . Boston put him on the 10-day injured list earlier Wednesday and recalled Nick Sogard.

Exactly four weeks would be Oct. 1 and six weeks would be Oct. 15.

These timelines could impact Anthony’

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