After his season was seemingly over following shoulder surgery in April, Trevor Story is trending toward returning to the Red Sox.
Story is set to begin a rehab assignment with the Triple-A Worcester Red Sox on Sunday. The 31-year-old will be the team’s designated hitter. As Story gets more at-bats under his belt, he will start playing in the field.
The shortstop dislocated his shoulder while diving for a ground ball against the Angels on April 5 and underwent surgery one week later.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora discussed Story’s recovery and the possibility that he could play again for the team soon.
“When that happened in LA, I think everybody thought that was it for the season after surgery,” Cora said Friday, ahead of Boston’s game against the Tigers (as shared by MassLive’s Christopher Smith). “And he did an amazing job during the rehab. And he put himself in the conversation.”
Story hinted at potentially playing again in 2024 back in July. He didn’t guarantee a return at the time, but said the possibility was on the table as he was recovering better and faster than expected.
Now, with about four weeks remaining in the regular season and Story about to start a rehab assignment, it sounds like he has a strong chance to play for Boston before the year’s end.
“Whenever he’s ready, he’s going to help us,” Cora said. “He will. The athlete, the defense, the base runner. Obviously understanding that the offensive part of it is always a challenge when you come from a long period of absence. But we’ll take the athlete. And I think the athlete is going to help us.”
Since signing with the Red Sox as a free agent in March 2022, Story has played in 145 games out of 458 total opportunities (entering Friday). His struggles to stay healthy during his tenure in Boston prompted emotional responses from the player in the moments and days after his on-field injury.
Story and the Red Sox training staff had been ramping up the shortstop’s recovery process since Major League Baseball’s All-Star break last month. Given that his shoulder surgery was deemed season-ending in mid-April, his and the team’s decision to change the way Story was rehabbing seems to be paying off.
He may have the opportunity to take over Boston’s starting shortstop role if he returns, especially considering David Hamilton’s recent injury. Hamilton, who has played 62 games for the Red Sox at shortstop this year, broke his finger while bunting on Aug. 28. He was placed on the 10-day injured list the next day.
With the Red Sox vying for a playoff spot for the first time since 2021, it seems as if Story will have a chance to meaningfully contribute to Boston’s postseason push in September.
