Story targeting August to play SS; Could DH by July
BOSTON — Rehabbing Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story broke free from Fort Myers, Fla., and can spend this week’s homestand at Fenway Park. It’s attending to the purpose the place Story can stay up for being an lively participant for video games in Boston as a substitute of a spectator.
“I feel like sometimes it’s closer than it feels,” mentioned Story. “Arm is feeling really good and my whole body is in a great spot, so overall I’m feeling really good about it. Obviously, I want to get back out there as quickly as possible, but I have to respect a lot of parts of this process and make sure we do it right first.”
Story, who had an inner bracing process to restore his proper elbow in January, doesn’t have a concrete timetable for his return as a result of the method relies on how he reacts to every new step in his program. However, he does have a aim.
“I think the progression is kind of a moving thing based on how I feel,” mentioned Story. “I feel good about coming back to play shortstop sometime in August. I know that’s what I want to do. That’s my goal. So that’s kind of where I have my head on.”
The a technique Story may very well be again even sooner is that if the Red Sox use him as a DH till he is able to play brief. In that case, Story suspects he may play for Boston in July.
“Yeah, [July] is a real possibility for DH,” mentioned Story. “I think that’s as early as we’ve looked at it. That’s obviously exciting to me. To be able to just impact the team with my bat is something I feel like I can do, so we’ll make that decision soon.”
Story indicated that there are a number of components to think about earlier than the membership decides whether or not he’ll come again first as a DH.
“That’s where it gets tricky, because if I go use the rehab games for DH, then those are kind of used up and I can’t just go down and do that for shortstop,” mentioned Story. “That’s the place we get artistic with some issues. But yeah, I believe this can be a dwell and dwelling factor.
“Things could change at any point, whether it’s injuries or whatever. But as of now, I’m getting ready to be able to do it, to be able to be available for DH, and I think things will kind of play itself out over the next couple weeks or so.”
The return of Story, given his bat, glove, legs and athleticism, could be massive for a Boston group that began its homestand towards Colorado with a 33-33 file, going through a four-game deficit within the American League Wild Card standings.
The key in Story’s development is his throwing program. He’s at present stretched out to 120 ft. What is subsequent in that development?
“I think 130 or 135, and then 150,” Story mentioned. “I’m not sure how deep we’re going after 150, but yeah, I think we’re kind of listening to my body, and just because it says something on the paper you know, we’re not doing it just because it says that. We’re being smart about it. If I feel good about progress, we’re going to progress.”
Story is having fun with every incremental step within the course of.
“Man, I think every time I throw, I’m gaining more confidence, just letting it go, letting it rip,” Story mentioned. “At this point, obviously the further the distance, the more intensity happens. So that’s a mini-step in itself but I think when it gets to taking ground balls and taking live, you know, I’m just diving, getting up and throwing, little stuff like that, I think will be the biggest steps.”
Perhaps by design, Story timed his week-long escape from Fort Myers whereas the Red Sox are taking part in the Rockies, the group with which he had spent his total profession earlier than signing with Boston as a free agent in March 2022.
“Yeah, I wish I was playing,” Story mentioned. “You know, obviously other things happen, but it’s good to see these guys. I’ve got a lot of good friends over there, but it’s good to be back and hopefully we beat them three times in a row.”
Even extra significant for Story was getting away from the isolation of Florida and seeing his present teammates.
“It’s huge,” Story mentioned. “Our team is a very tight-knit team, and I think the chemistry runs deep. So it’s always good. It gives me a lift and it’s exciting to see everybody. As much time as we spend around each other, we’re family. And that’s really how we see ourselves. So being around them is always good for me.”
