‘There’s a good chance’ Trevor Story returns to Red Sox Saturday

Less than five months after undergoing what was deemed season-ending shoulder surgery, Trevor Story could play for the Red Sox this weekend.

Alex Cora told reporters Friday that “there’s a good chance” the 31-year-old will be in Boston’s lineup on Saturday.

“If he makes it tomorrow here without falling down or doing something, there’s a good chance he’s going to play shortstop for us tomorrow,” Cora said on Friday, per the Boston Herald’s Mac Cerullo.

Story has been sidelined for the majority of 2024. He dislocated his left shoulder while diving for a ground ball on April 5, during the second series the Red Sox played this season. Story underwent shoulder surgery on April 12; at the time, chief baseball officer Craig Breslow said the player’s recovery would take about six months. 

Boston’s training staff and Story decided to ramp up his recovery after MLB’s All-Star break in mid-July. The shortstop publicly spoke about trying to play again this season in Los Angeles following the break during Boston’s first series of the second half. 

Since then, Story’s recovery has seemingly been expedited. He began his rehab assignment with the Triple-A Worcester Red Sox on Sept. 1; less than one week later, he may suit up for the Red Sox at Fenway Park against the White Sox.

In 16 at-bats (4 games) during his brief rehab stint this past week, Story recorded six hits, with one going for extra bases. He drove in two runs and struck out twice.

Story played in the field at shortstop in three of his four games with the WooSox. He was their designated hitter in his first game.

Cora said he hopes Story’s production in the field and the batter’s box can carry over to the big league team as they try to claim the last American League wild card spot down the stretch.

“Hopefully it happens that he carries the offense, but he’s just going to be part of the offense,” Cora said. “He feels good about it, just talking to the people in Triple-A, he drove the ball to the gaps yesterday, so we’ll see.”

Cora also said that Ceddanne Rafaela will move to second base to make room for Story at shortstop upon his infield teammate’s return. Entering Friday, Rafaela has played 80 games at shortstop this year. He has played at second base in just 10 contests in his MLB career. 

“He’ll go to second and make plays and get used to it, but we’re not worried about it,” Cora said. “It’s just something else on his resume and we expect him to be a good defensive second baseman.”