Red Sox Finally Reveal Timeline, Plan For Trevor Story's Return

Boston could get a core player back for the second half

The Boston Red Sox have played the entire season without their All-Star shortstop -- but that could be changing in the near future according to manager Alex Cora and the man himself, Trevor Story.

"Cora says Story will 'probably' be ready for a rehab (stint) by the time the second half starts," The Boston Globe's Alex Speier tweeted Wednesday.

The second half begins on July 14, which would set Story up for a return the following month. 

“Realistically, I see myself playing in the big leagues in August,” Story told MassLive's Christopher Smith. “To shoot around mid-August would be great. Obviously, this is a live thing so you can’t live and die by the timeline. But yeah, I think go on a rehab assignment, get some at-bats, get my timing underneath me and spend as long as I need down there to feel good enough to come back.”

Story also said, while it's not entirely ruled out, they likely will not try to bring him back early as a designated hitter due to the team's construction. 

The Red Sox have had a carousel at shortstop this season after Kiké Hernández proved he could not handle the job by leading Major League Baseball in errors. 

Boston tried to use Yu Chang, Pablo Reyes and David Hamilton as well. The former two are on the injured list while the latter has struggled in his first stint at the big-league level.

Story hit .238 with 38 extra-base hits with 16 home runs, 66 RBIs and a .737 OPS in 94 games last season while playing Gold-Glove caliber defense. 

That level of production would be immensely helpful for the 43-43 Red Sox as they make a final playoff push to close out the season. 

Either way, the team will look different. Story's return is expected after the Aug. 1 MLB trade deadline, when the front office will either buy, sell or do something in between.

If they decide to go for it, Story's comeback will play a pivotal role in whether they claim an American League Wild Card spot.

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