Story set for BP session, now optimistic about 2024 return

BOSTON -- When Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story first spoke a couple of weeks ago about a potential return to action this week, it sounded like a long shot. One of those “if everything went perfectly” scenarios.

Now? It sounds like it’s more probable than not that Story will suit up at some point in September as Boston makes its final push for the postseason.

To that end, Story will take regular batting practice on the field on Monday at Fenway Park, marking his most significant step forward in his recovery from the left shoulder fracture he sustained on April 5 in Anaheim.

“It’s a huge step. It’s huge,” manager Alex Cora said on Friday of Story’s upcoming BP. “Where we’re at right now, I’m truly believing, right now, that he’s going to be part of this. I just don’t want to give you a timeline and all that because I don’t want to put pressure on him. But he’s putting pressure on us, which is the great thing about this.”

Just in the animated way Story is speaking about his comeback, it’s obvious how well his surgically-repaired shoulder is progressing.

“Things have been going well,” Story said. “So we've kind of just been working behind the scenes and keeping the expectations low, and I think it's helped us out to where the body has been able to recover and bounce back from the swings in the cage. So like I said all along, if there's a chance to play, I’m going for it.”

While Story is now optimistic he will play again in 2024, he admits that was not the case in the days and weeks following surgery.

“After the surgery, and really the first two months after, I was like, ‘I’m just resting to get ready for Spring Training next year, have a normal offseason.’ That was kind of the goal,” Story said. “And then I think maybe with that mindset, I was able to rest a little better, and being away from the team, I could just kind of use my energy elsewhere. I used it mostly for rest and just to be with my family. I think it paid off for me.”

On the day Story learned he needed surgery, he welled up with tears when he spoke with the media.

It was hard not to notice how much happier Story looked and sounded on Friday.

"I didn’t expect it to be going this well, to be honest. Just because I know how bad it was early on in the rehab process,” Story said. “But I really think my body turned the corner. And mentally, too, my mind trusts my body now more than ever.

“Obviously, I'm not 100 percent there, but I made a lot of strides towards that and it's more like a normal shoulder progression. I’m feeling really good about that.”

Story first started taking swings indoors off the tee and soft toss when the Red Sox were in Colorado on July 22-24. He was pleasantly surprised how his shoulder responded then, and in the ensuing weeks.

“Over the last two weeks, the swings have been really good,” Story said. “Really no hesitation or hold back in the swing. And I think that's why we're feeling optimistic about it.”

Getting Story back at shortstop would be of considerable impact for Boston, which had made 85 errors, the most in MLB, entering Friday’s series opener against Houston.

Story, with his powerful right-handed bat, would also help the Red Sox in another area they’ve struggled this season -- hitting against lefties.

Because Story hurt his non-throwing arm, his recovery is almost entirely focused on his swing.

Cora said that Story could “play nine innings in the field tomorrow”.

“I feel really good defensively,” Story said. “Obviously, it's going to be about sliding, diving, and those are some of the hurdles to jump. We’ll face that when we get there. I’d say it’s more about the swing and the general comfortableness in those ranges, and swing and miss, and being fooled maybe.”

When did Cora first think there was a legit chance Story could be back this season?

“In Colorado,” Cora said. “He went to the office and we talked about it. He feels really good. He turned a corner, and then after that, it’s been almost perfect.

“We know there’s going to be a setback at one point and we’re going to slow it down, but so far, so good.”