Red Sox injury updates: Trevor Story reveals aggressive ‘possibility’ for return to lineup

BOSTON — Asked Monday about when he might be able to return to the Red Sox lineup after a three-month absence, rehabbing shortstop Trevor Story suggested a rather aggressive possibility.

Story, who played in his first rehab game for Triple-A Worcester on Sunday and will fly to Syracuse to join the WooSox for their games Tuesday and Wednesday, said he thinks it’s “a possibility” he could be in Boston’s lineup when the Giants come to town for a three-game series beginning Friday night.

“At least Tuesday and Wednesday I’ll be in Syracuse, then we’ll see how I feel after that,” Story said at Fenway Park, where he worked out before the Red Sox faced Arizona. “Obviously, Thursday’s an off day here, so we’ll see how it goes.

“I’ve had my fair share of rehabs and I’ve been through it, so I feel like I know when I’m good to go. I have that in my back pocket and have that experience to rely on. It’s really about getting my game legs back and how I recover the next day, not so much the stuff that’s going on in the moment.”

Interim manager Chad Tracy didn’t dismiss the possibility that Story returns this week but noted the Red Sox were taking things day by day. For now, the goal is to get him to play 7-9 innings in Syracuse over the next two days — and then the parties will go from there.

“To be perfectly honest, we haven’t discussed that yet,” Tracy said of Story’s return date. “This initial part is: he did a ton of work here as far as building himself up, but we’re really just eyeballing Tuesday and Wednesday and getting him through that.

“We have things mapped out for the whole week ... right now, we have things laid out further than that but we will keep checking in with these guys on how they feel.”

Story had surgery to remove a sports hernia on May 22, less than a week after landing on the injured list with the injury. He spent much of June and July ramping up his rehab in Boston and was cleared to play in games late last week. At Polar Park on Sunday, he went 1-for-2 with a hard-hit single and a run scored while playing four innings at shortstop.

“It felt good,” he said. “To get that first one out of the way. It’s all about game speed stuff now and getting my game legs back under me, plus obviously seeing some pitches and having some good at-bats. I’m excited about that. The first one went well.”

Despite Andruw Monasterio giving the Red Sox consistent offense at the shortstop position in the last couple weeks, the club still feels like Story is a more dynamic player and the “goal” is to get him back as the everyday shortstop when he returns, according to Tracy. In the minors, all of Story’s rehab reps will come at short.

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“I think that’s the goal, that we get him right, get him healthy and have him out there helping us,” Tracy said. “We’ll see when that is.”

Trio of MRIs underway

Monday was a busy day for team doctors as three recently sidelined Red Sox had MRIs.

As expected, designated hitter Masataka Yoshida had imaging taken after suffering a left hamstring strain Saturday night in Pittsburgh. As of late Monday afternoon, results weren’t available.

The Red Sox originally said that relievers Garrett Whitlock and Justin Slaten, who were both sidelined late last week due to elbow inflammation, might not need MRIs. Out of an abundance of caution, both right-handers had them Monday. The team remains optimistic that there’s no structural damage in either elbow.

“We don’t have any results on them either, but they are both getting one just to take a look and make sure there’s nothing extra there,” Tracy said.

Anthony, Kiner-Falefa on track for game action

As previously reported, both outfielder Roman Anthony and infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa will begin rehab assignments in the coming days.

Anthony, who has been out since early May with a torn ligament in his hand, will join Double-A Portland on Tuesday and play five innings in left field in his first game, according to Tracy. Kiner-Falefa will join the WooSox on Wednesday and play second base.

It’s unclear how many games each player will need.

Updates on Crochet, others

Lefty Garrett Crochet played some light catch on the field before Monday’s game and still remains a ways away from potentially facing hitters. The clock is ticking for him to make a meaningful return by the end of the season.

Right-handed pitchers Tanner Houck, Kutter Crawford, Johan Oviedo and Zack Kelly all remain in Fort Myers where they are rehabbing long-term arm injuries. Houck is the closest to returning as he has been throwing bullpen sessions multiple times per week.

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