Red Sox star rookie outfielder Roman Anthony left the fourth inning of Tuesday night's contest against the Guardians with a back injury.

Anthony, who was hitting .291 on the season entering Tuesday as a breakout star in Boston's lineup, swung hard and missed at a breaking ball from Cleveland pitcher Slade Cecconi. He immediately grabbed his lower back and did not return to the game.

The Red Sox said Anthony was dealing with "left oblique tightness." He will undergo an MRI on Wednesday to confirm the severity of the injury.

The Red Sox won the game 11–7, and now sit at 78–62 on the season. Boston entered Tuesday night tied with the Yankees just 2.5 games out of first place in a hotly contested American League East. Both clubs are chasing the Blue Jays, who have been one of the best teams in the American League since June.

Any long-term injury to Anthony would be impactful to the Red Sox, who hope to not only win the division but compete for the American League pennant.