The Boston Red Sox are expecting multiple huge returns from long-term injuries in the coming weeks and Trevor Story's is expected to be the first of them. The shortstop has been on the injured list since May 15 after he underwent sports hernia surgery.
Story on August 16 began a rehab assignment with the Triple-A Worcester Red Sox. The day after, he told reporters, including Chris Cotillo of MassLive, that he could be activated as soon as August 21, for Boston's series against Rafael Devers and the San Francisco Giants.
Instead, Story will play at least one more game of a rehab assignment. According to Cotillo, he had a scheduled off day on August 20 and he'll play at least one more game with the WooSox on Friday evening.
The delay on Story's activation also pushes back a tough roster decision in Boston's middle infield. Much has changed around the Red Sox since Story last played — they had an 18-25 record, Caleb Durbin hadn't established himself yet and Marcelo Mayer was still in the lineup. Since Story's been on the sidelines, multilpe players have established themselves as key or clutch producers in the middle infield, and it'll be tough to option one of them.
Red Sox extend Trevor Story's rehab assignment by at least a day, also delaying difficult infield roster move
Anthony Seigler, Andruw Monasterio and Nick Sogard have all had their moments in a Red Sox uniform this season. Seigler was promoted and got red-hot during the Sox's 30-5 winning stretch, Monasterio has grown into a doubles and RBI machine and Sogard consistently puts great at-bats together and comes through when the Sox need him to.
Demoting one of those players will be a blow to the Boston's offense, especially if Story doesn't perform upon his return. The shortstop has recorded three singles, two runs, an RBI and two strikeouts over the first three games of his rehab assignment, but he posted an ugly .206/.244/.303 slash line and 57 strikeouts over 41 games at the start of the season. It's also been quite some time since he's measured up defensively with below-average metrics in defensive runs saved (-2), outs above average (-3) and fielding run value (-2).
Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy has already promised some playing time to Monasterio after Story and fellow rehabber Isiah Kiner-Falefa return to action. Seigler or Sogard are the most likely option candidates to make room for Story on the active roster, but they could be back in the big leagues soon. Active rosters on September 1 expand from 26 to 28 players and the optioned infielder could be called back up in short order.
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