Trevor Story’s Red Sox Return Delayed Despite Encouraging Rehab

Trevor Story’s Red Sox Return Delayed Despite Encouraging Rehab originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Trevor Story will not return to the Boston Red Sox as soon as initially hoped. The veteran shortstop received a scheduled recovery day Thursday and was not included in Triple-A Worcester’s lineup against Syracuse. Isiah Kiner-Falefa started at shortstop for the WooSox instead.

More importantly, Story will return to Worcester’s lineup Friday night rather than joining the Red Sox for their series opener against the San Francisco Giants at Fenway Park, according to MassLive’s Chris Cotillo. That removes Friday as a possible activation date after Story previously said he believed he could rejoin Boston as early as the beginning of the Giants series.

The latest development does not necessarily represent a setback. The Red Sox appear to be taking a more cautious approach with Story following sports hernia surgery and a lengthy absence. Story has not played for Boston since May 14.

Although Story will remain with Worcester for at least one more game, his recent results suggest he is getting closer. Story went 2-for-4 with a walk during Worcester’s 9-7 victory over Syracuse on Wednesday. He drove in a run and produced three batted balls with exit velocities above 98 mph, according to G.G. Geiss.

Trevor Story not playing for WooSox tonight. Isiah Kiner-Falefa playing shortstop.

The quality of contact was an important development for a player attempting to regain his timing after missing more than three months. Story also has limited his swing-and-miss rate to 15% during the rehab assignment. He did not miss a pitch inside the strike zone Wednesday and has posted a hard-hit rate of at least 50% in two of his first three rehab games.

Those underlying numbers might be more meaningful to Boston than his batting average during a small collection of Triple-A plate appearances. Story opened his rehab assignment Sunday by going 1-for-2 with a double while playing four innings at shortstop. He has gradually increased his workload since then.

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Story underwent surgery in May after attempting to play through discomfort that began during spring training. He hit .206 with three home runs, 19 RBIs and a .547 OPS over 41 games before landing on the injured list. Boston needs a healthier and more productive version of Story for its postseason push.

Trevor Story is off for a scheduled recovery day today and will be back in the WooSox lineup in Syracuse — not active in Boston — tomorrow night, per source.

The Red Sox entered Thursday holding the second American League Wild Card position with a 68-59 record. They also had a 5 1/2-game cushion over the closest team outside the playoff field. That gives Boston some breathing room to make certain Story is ready rather than activating him simply because he has reached the minimum physical benchmarks.

Story likely will be reevaluated after playing Friday in Syracuse. If he responds well and continues producing firm contact, an activation later in the weekend could remain possible. For now, the most significant takeaway is clear. Story’s return is close, but it will not happen Friday night at Fenway Park.

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