Red Sox Game-Changer Feels 'Close' To Returning; Showing Great Signs In Rehab

One of Boston's brightest stars could be back sooner rather than later

The Boston Red Sox could have one of their very best players back in the lineup sooner rather than later. 

After undergoing off-season elbow surgery, Boston All-Star infielder Trevor Story has missed the entire 2023 season. Some speculated that Story would miss the entire 2023 campaign and although a date hasn't been selected, it seems as though he will return to the club this summer. 

Story recently spoke to WEEI's Rob Bradford and gave an extremely encouraging update on his progress as he attempts to work his way back to the Boston lineup.

"I feel like I've kind of had my head buried in the sand just working, but now I pop up and here it is," Story said to Bradford. "It feels close and like I said the other day, this is the first time where it feels close. I think it is just a product of all of the work our medical team has done with the rehab. We still have some more to go and it's not done. We're still focused on the day-to-day, just taking each day and trying to dominate that day. It feels good and I feel normal swinging, just a matter of getting my arm back in shape."

Story's eventual return to the Red Sox's lineup only could help. Boston's middle infield has given the club troubles all season. Enrique Hernandez initially took over the shortstop position for the Red Sox and struggled and currently leads the league in errors from the position with 14. Pablo Reyes and Yu Chang have filled in throughout the season, but both have dealt with injuries themselves. 

When the two-time All-Star returns, he will fortify the shortstop position defensively and give the club one of its best offensive bats back. Story slashed .238/.303/.434 in 2022, which all were the lowest of his career since 2017, but added 16 home runs and 66 RBIs in just 94 games. If Story is fully healthy, maybe he will fully return to form offensively as well. 

To make matters even better for Story and to show how far he's come, he even said to Bradford that is throwing velocity from shortstop has at times been his best since 2019 as a member of the Colorado Rockies. 

Hopefully we can see him back at Fenway Park very shortly helping the club rack up some wins and make a run at a postseason spot. 

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