Boston Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story, who started his rehab assignment with Triple-A Worcester on Sunday, needed just one game to make the somewhat surprising claim that he could be activated as early as Friday against the San Francisco Giants, as shared by MassLive’s Chris Cotillo.
If he is, that would be a major mistake…
It’s not just me saying it! It’s recent history saying it!
Romy Gonzalez, who missed all of spring training after undergoing offseason shoulder surgery, appeared in just six minor league games before being activated off of the injured list. I don’t have to tell you how poorly that has gone, as the utility infielder slashed an atrocious .185/.265/.308 (12-for-65) across 19 games split between first base and second base before being optioned to Triple-A on Aug. 4.
Adley Rutschman, who was on the injured list when acquired via trade with the Baltimore Orioles on Aug. 3, was given even less time as he appeared in two games during his rehab assignment before being called up to slash .059/.273/.059 (1-for-17) across five games heading into Monday’s contest with the Arizona Diamondbacks, before finally collecting two hits and his first extrabase hit in last night’s romp.
Story has missed at least half of the games in three of his five seasons with the club, is coming off sports hernia surgery, and slashed .206/.244/.303 across 41 games before heading to the injured list on May 16.
I don’t see him being much different than the other two guys.
Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy admitted that the expectation was for Story to take over as the everyday shortstop and Anthony to take over as the leadoff hitter and left fielder/designated hitter during his pregame media availability on Monday, as shared by Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe.
It’s not a matter of if, but when those two things happen.
I hope that you all come back and make fun of me for being wrong, but we’ll see.