Trevor Story is heading to the injured list after scans revealed a sports hernia, a more serious issue than the right groin discomfort that had bothered him since Spring Training. The Red Sox now face another major absence from a player who has struggled to move normally and has admitted the injury has affected his play.
Story said he tried to keep going, but the problem grew worse over time. “A couple of weeks in, I just felt it,” he said. “I tried to grind through it and just got to the point where I might need to take a timeout and evaluate some things a little further.”
What the injury means for Story
The team had initially described the issue as a groin injury, but the scans changed the outlook. Story has already gotten multiple medical opinions, and surgery has been raised as one possible route.
He said he is trying not to focus too far ahead, but the usual recovery window discussed was “six to 10 weeks, give or take.” That timeline could put his return as early as July at the most optimistic end, while non-surgical treatment could still sideline him for a significant stretch.
Story also made clear that he has not felt like himself defensively or on the bases. “If you’re watching the game, I think you can tell that I’m not moving the way that I want,” he said.
Boston’s shortstop plan without Story
The Red Sox already had to make a first-game adjustment at shortstop, with Andruw Monasterio getting the start. Interim manager Chad Tracy also mentioned Sogard as another possible option, while Isiah Kiner-Falefa remains a candidate to handle shortstop if needed.
Boston appears more comfortable using Kiner-Falefa at second base and the corner infield spots, which makes the next move more uncertain. That leaves Marcelo Mayer as the most interesting name if Story’s absence lasts longer than expected.
Mayer and the longer-term picture
Mayer entered the organization as a shortstop when Boston made him the No. 4 pick in the 2021 MLB Draft. In his Major League promotion last season, he played mostly third base and also appeared at second, and this season he has been used only at second.
Tracy said a move to shortstop is not immediate and would depend on how serious Story’s injury proves to be. “If we were going to do that, we need to get some more [work],” Tracy said, noting that Mayer has taken ground balls only at second so far.
If Boston looks beyond the immediate injury cover, Franklin Arias is also part of the conversation. The 20-year-old, ranked No. 11 in baseball, has posted a strong line of .349/.431/.642 with eight homers and 23 RBIs in 29 games and 106 at-bats for Double-A Portland.
Story’s season has already been uneven
The injury adds another complication to a season in which Story has not produced like a veteran centerpiece. In 41 games, he is hitting .206/.244/.303 with three homers, 19 RBIs, eight walks and 57 strikeouts.
His defense has also been shaky by his usual standards. Story leads American League shortstops with six errors and is minus-three outs above average, tied for 27th at the position in MLB.
Story said he does not want to use the injury as a blanket explanation for everything, but he acknowledged it has mattered. “I hate to [use an excuse],” he said. “I’m not going to be blaming it all on that, but it plays a part, for sure.”
He added that the focus now is on figuring out the best path forward, whether that includes surgery or not. For the Red Sox, the priority is finding a short-term answer at shortstop while waiting to learn how long one of their most experienced players will be out.
