As the end of the regular season looms and the playoff race heats up, the Boston Red Sox are lucky enough to expect multiple players back from long-term injuries to help in the race for higher Wild Card standing. Slugging outfielder Roman Anthony is one of those players — fans are beyond excited to have him back at a huge moment — and struggling veteran Trevor Story is another.
Story has been sidelined since May 16 with a sports hernia, which he underwent surgery to repair. He began a rehab assignment on August 16 and he's reportedly close to his return to the Red Sox. But should he be?
Story has posted four hits, all singles, an RBI, five strikeouts and no walks over six games with the Triple-A Worcester Red Sox. Our own minor league expert, Hunter Noll (also of Beyond the Monster), has paid attention to Story's rehab assignment and didn't mince words about the production he's seen: "I know it's only a week, but I have ZERO idea how he's going to help the team over anyone on the current roster."
In the nicest way possible. I've watched a week of Trevor Story now, and I know it's only a week, but I have ZERO idea how he's going to help the team over anyone on the current roster.
— Hunter Noll (@Hunter_Noll) August 23, 2026
He's brought nothing positive to the table ON THE FIELD in Worcester. ABs are brutal.
Red Sox should hold off on calling Trevor Story back up until roster expansion day
Story struggled severely with the Red Sox in the beginning of the season before his injury. He clocked a .206/.244/.303 slash line with 57 strikeouts and just eight walks over 41 games. It was possible his lack of production was due to discomfort or pain the hernia was causing him, but that doesn't seem to be the case. Though it may be too early to reasonably come to that conclusion, Story has a long history of underperformance in a Red Sox uniform and his latest outings are hardly inspiring.
If the Red Sox are smart, they'll wait to call Story up until September 1, when rosters expand to allow two more players to join the 26-man big league squad. Boston's current infield, which includes injury replacements and call-ups Andruw Monasterio, Nick Sogard, Anthony Seigler and Mickey Gasper, has played too well to break up to add a floundering Story to the mix.
The Red Sox need all the offensive production they can get over the next month and Story hasn't shown he can reliably bring it. Monasterio has been crushing doubles and bringing in runs at a high clip and Sogard has found his home run swing in recent days. He also has a keen eye at the plate and he's walked 24 times compared to 25 strikeouts, to which Story can't compare. Seigler is slashing .389/.455/.556 in his last seven games.
Boston is committed to using Story in its infield because of the albatross of a contract he signed four years ago, but reaching the postseason in the first Wild Card spot should be its highest priority. Story isn't the best everyday option for the Sox's infield and playing time should be given to those with a bigger impact until he proves he can keep up with his fellow infielders.
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