Story thinks he’ll return in ’23; Kiké eager to fill void
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — It has been 11 days since Trevor Story had an inner bracing process on his proper elbow that put his 2023 season in jeopardy.
However, Story is very assured there can be numbers on the again of his baseball card for the upcoming season, his second with the Red Sox. When requested Saturday at Red Sox Winter Weekend if he would play this season, Story mentioned, “Oh yeah. In my thoughts, sure.”
For Story, the hardest a part of the harm was the timing. He was ramping as much as be Boston’s beginning shortstop following the departure of Xander Bogaerts in free company when he felt a sensation in his proper elbow he had by no means skilled earlier than.
“I was starting to put more on [the throws] and get ready for the season, and just felt a little different in this instance,” Story mentioned. “I simply felt a bit of extra tingly feeling, and you realize, clearly that’s not one thing that ought to occur so I instantly simply type of stopped for a bit and thought I might go get it checked out.
“Ended up being a situation where surgery is a possibility, and that’s the route we went. So it’s obviously not ideal or something that you ever wanted to happen, especially in the offseason, but you know, this is where we’re at, and that’s kind of how we’re gonna attack it — the best way we can.”
During the opening occasion of Winter Weekend on Friday, Story instructed followers that he would miss “a bit of little bit of the season.”
What did he imply by a bit of bit?
“Yeah, it’s tough to say. I think it’s too early for a timetable, 11 days out of surgery,” mentioned Story. “A lot of that kind of depends on the way we’re progressing this whole rehab process.”
If the Red Sox can get even a half a season of Story, it might make a giant distinction for his or her postseason hopes.
“I like to be positive and optimistic and I think we’re gonna get Trevor back at some point in the middle of season,” mentioned Kiké Hernández. “And if we get a healthy Trevor Story, he’s a game-changer. He’s a catalyst.”
At this level, the plan is for Hernández to take over shortstop — at the least till Story will get again in motion.
Though Hernández has began simply 64 video games at brief in his profession, he’s desirous to eventually get the possibility to play his “favorite” place on a full-time foundation.
“I feel really excited,” mentioned Hernández. “I really feel nice about it. I discussed it earlier than, I’ve type of been ready my entire life to have the ability to play brief on the Major League stage each day. I grew up enjoying the place. It’s my favourite place to play, and sadly, the rosters that I’ve been on, just about the very best participant on the crew has been the shortstop.
“It’s funny: I signed on this team to play second base and ended up playing center. And then I signed an extension to play center and now I’ll play short. I’m really excited and looking forward to the challenge.”
If Story certainly returns this season, there’s an opportunity he’ll stay at second base — the place he performed in 2022 — to ease the preliminary burden on his surgically-repaired elbow.
Story additionally didn’t rule out returning to the crew initially as a DH if that enables him to get again in motion quicker. Justin Turner is at the moment slotted in at DH, although he may also get some motion at first base.
“I’ve DH’d a little bit before, but not on a substantial basis,” mentioned Story. “But I think, again, it’s too early to kind of tell on that. I’m certainly open to that option. I think we’ve got to kind of see how things go when it comes time to make that decision.”
The one factor Story isn’t going to do is skip any steps in his quest to get again on the sector.
“I feel good about this,” mentioned Story. “I feel good about how I’m going to attack this with the team. We have all of our therapy guys, and I know we’re going to do the best job that we can. It’ll be something I’m really looking forward to. We’re going to do it the right way. We’re not going to cut any corners.”
