ANAHEIM — Trevor Story entered this 12 months optimistic he would lastly keep wholesome and play his first full season since becoming a member of the Pink Sox.
Solely 10 days into the season, these hopes have been dashed.
The Pink Sox introduced Saturday earlier than their 2-1 loss to the Angels at Angel Stadium that Story dislocated his left shoulder and has been positioned on the 10-day injured checklist. In a corresponding transfer, shortstop David Hamilton was recalled from Triple-A Worcester.
Pink Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow stated it’s too early to find out whether or not Story will want surgical procedure or how lengthy he’ll be out. Breslow stated Story will see Pink Sox group doctor Evan O’Donnell in Boston on Monday, and the group hopes to have extra data then.
“We’re nonetheless gathering particulars however felt prefer it made sense at this level to place him on the IL,” Breslow stated. “I believe we’ll be in a significantly better place on Monday to offer some solutions to these questions.”
The 31-year-old shortstop left Friday’s recreation towards the Angels within the fourth inning after diving to his proper for a one-hopper within the gap and touchdown arduous on his left shoulder. Story remained on the bottom writhing in ache for a number of minutes and finally walked off the sphere along with his left arm dangling. On Saturday, Story had an MRI that confirmed the extent of his damage.
“Simply irritating,” Story stated. “It is not enjoyable getting injured. Sort of a freak factor, however yeah, gonna miss a little bit time for positive.”
Pablo Reyes changed Story because the Pink Sox’s beginning shortstop Saturday towards the Angels, going hitless in three at-bats with three strikeouts.
Story signed a six-year, $140 million contract with the Pink Sox earlier than the 2022 season, however his Boston tenure has been suffering from accidents.
Total, Story has performed in simply 145 video games throughout three seasons for the Pink Sox, hitting .227/.288/.394 with 19 house runs and 84 RBIs.
“I believe we have seen the influence of his protection on the group, on the pitching employees, on the outcomes of video games,” Breslow stated. “It is early and we nonetheless have numerous data to assemble, however I believe greater than something, I simply really feel for Trevor and the street that he is taken to get again right here and to place himself able to influence our membership. So I believe along with the way it impacts our group, clearly he is a man that desires to be on the market. [He’s] actually aggressive and I believe uninterested in the accidents.”
The Pink Sox have choices to interchange Story at shortstop, however none of them are confirmed.
Reyes, 30, is a profession backup who has by no means performed greater than 71 video games in a season. Hamilton, 26, made his Main League debut in 2023 and hit .121 throughout 15 video games and has a historical past of accidents. He missed his junior season at Texas after tearing his Achilles in an offseason scooter accident, then had season-ending surgical procedure final 12 months to restore a torn ligament in his left thumb.
One risk is for the Pink Sox to maneuver middle fielder Ceddanne Rafaela to shortstop. All through his Minor League profession, the 23-year-old rookie performed shortstop (76 video games) along with middle area (228 video games) and began 5 video games at brief for the Pink Sox final season upon making his Main League debut.
“Every part is in hand,” Pink Sox supervisor Alex Cora stated. “We’re attempting to win video games right here.”
The Pink Sox can also dip into their center infield depth within the Minors. Center infielder Romy Gonzalez, who performed components of the final three seasons with the White Sox, is batting .375 (9-for-24) with three house runs and 10 RBIs in six video games for Worcester.
Prized shortstop prospect Marcelo Mayer, the fourth total choose within the 2021 MLB Draft and Boston’s No. 1 prospect per MLB Pipeline, opened the season at Double-A Portland, however would probably profit from extra time within the Minors. The 21-year-old has performed simply 43 video games above Single-A and missed the ultimate month of final season with left shoulder irritation.
The Pink Sox’s subsequent steps will change into clearer Monday after Story sees O’Donnell, who focuses on shoulder accidents. Till then, they’re left hoping for the very best.
“We requested all of the questions,” Story stated. “Nonetheless attempting to assemble all the data and all of the opinions from all people concerned. It was a major damage and I believe we’re type of ready to diagnose it [until] we get all of the opinions.”