BOSTON — Four days after Roman Anthony exited a game in Detroit with a hand injury, the Red Sox are placing him on the 10-day injury list with the hope he can return in the minimum amount of time.

Anthony exited Monday’s game after the first inning when he took an awkward swing. It was deemed a wrist injury at the time, but Anthony clarified on Thursday that it’s a sprain of a ligament near his right ring finger.

“For me, where I stand and how it’s gone and the way it’s felt, when the IL stint is over, I plan to be in the game the next day,” he said.

Anthony would be eligible to return next Thursday in the final game of Boston’s series against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Though Anthony’s injury has not gotten worse since Monday, the Red Sox have been playing short-handed without him. Interim manager Chad Tracy said that was the main reason for the IL stint. The Red Sox have recalled catcher/infielder Mickey Gasper from Triple-A Worcester to serve as a left-handed bat off the bench.

“It’s more a case of, how long are we willing to play short-handed, which we’ve already done it for two days,” Tracy said. “So coming in today and assessing (Anthony) and seeing where he’s at, knowing the soreness level, we’re probably still, maybe four or five days away, then we’re playing short-handed for that long. So we can’t do that.”

Anthony flew back to Boston on Tuesday to see a hand specialist and get an MRI that revealed the sprain, and he has been getting treatment that includes blood flow circulating through the wrist and arm. He has not swung a bat or done any baseball activities yet.

“Based on the way they explained it, it doesn’t need surgery, kind of heals on its own, so it’s one of those things, when you feel good to go, you’re good to go,” Anthony said. “We have a great training staff, we have a group in there with our hand specialist, so fully trusting them.”

Anthony, who turns 22 on Wednesday, is hitting .229 with a .675 OPS, five doubles, a triple and a home run in 30 games.

In his absence, Masataka Yoshida figures to get most of the playing time at designated hitter, but Tracy said the team will work out Andruw Monasterio in the outfield in case they need an extra outfielder with Anthony on the IL. Monasterio had gotten outfield reps in spring training, but has not played there this season.

“If we get in a pinch, (Monasterio) may have to go out there and do it,” Tracy said. “He’s done it before with the Brewers, not a lot, not a large sample.”

Yoshida could slide into the outfield as well if Monasterio served as the DH.

Garrett Crochet, who went on the IL with shoulder inflammation on April 26, has continued ramping up this throwing program.

“He did throw yesterday, and he said it was the best he’s felt throwing,” Tracy said. “So we’re still strengthening, we’re still throwing, and we’re increasing intensity as he goes. So we’re just going to continue that track until we feel like the strength numbers are where they’re supposed to be. He feels good.”

Crochet has been throwing from 60 feet, increasing the velocity on his throws. He’s eligible to come off the IL on Monday. Tracy did not know if he would need a rehab assignment, but it seems likely, given the time off and his inability to face hitters yet.

“I think with Garrett, it just depends on, how long does this (strengthening) go?” he said. “And, do we feel like it’s been long enough where he should go face some hitters and ramp up a little before (returning) here?”

Ranger Suarez, who exited Sunday’s game with hamstring tightness, is progressing well but still has not been penciled for his scheduled start on Saturday as he tries to avoid an IL stint.

“I know that’s getting closer,” Tracy said of Suarez’s start. “We’re just gonna keep kicking it down the line to see where he’s at and then decide. Obviously, as we get into Friday, we’re gonna start making a decision on, ‘Is he gonna start?’ We’ll see, but he is still making improvements.”

Jake Bennett will start Thursday against the Tampa Bay Rays, with Connelly Early scheduled for Friday, Suarez potentially for Saturday and Payton Tolle for Sunday.

Reliever Justin Slaten (oblique), who made his second rehab outing on Wednesday, pitched well and could be activated in the coming days.