Roman Anthony and Trevor Story rejoined the Red Sox on Sunday after lengthy injury absences.
The Red Sox activated Anthony and Story from the 60-day injured list before Sunday's four-game series finale against the New York Yankees in Yankee Stadium.
Anthony led off the game with a double and went 2-for-4 in the 16-1 loss to New York. Story also had a double among his two hits while scoring Boston's lone run.
Catcher Mickey Gasper and infielder Anthony Seigler were optioned to Triple-A Worcester in corresponding moves, creating spots on the 26-man roster for Anthony and Story.
The Red Sox have rebounded from a slow start to the season and surged into postseason contention without Anthony and Story, but All-Star first baseman Willson Contreras said he was excited for the injured stars to return.
"I think it's really important for us to get those guys back," Contreras said ahead of Sunday's game. "We need them."
Anthony had been sidelined since May 4 because of nagging wrist and finger injuries. The former top prospect had only one home run and a .675 OPS in 30 games before the IL stint but has flashed his usual power during his minor league rehab assignment, with two homers and a .967 OPS in eight games.
Story's last game with the Red Sox was May 14. The two-time All-Star underwent sports hernia surgery May 22.
Boston was 18-25 at the time of Story's injury but has since turned around its season thanks to contributions from various players on the roster.
Anthony figures to resume his previous role alternating between left field and DH, but the Red Sox face a more difficult situation with Story, who had a .547 OPS in 41 games before his injury.
Andruw Monasterio, Nick Sogard and Tsung-Che Cheng handled shortstop during Story's absence.
Contreras said it was "important to recognize the job or the work that the whole lineup has been putting in for the last three months" and noted that the Red Sox faced "tough decisions" in terms of which players to remove from the roster.
"I think those are tough decisions to make," he said. "I don't know what's going to happen [Sunday], but we do have to recognize the job that the guys are doing for this team, and we couldn't have done what we've done without them."
