Trevor Story nears rehab assignment as Red Sox eye return boost

Trevor Story has moved to on-field batting practice and is close to ramping up his running after sports hernia surgery, putting an August rehab assignment within reach and putting Worcester squarely in the middle of Boston’s infield puzzle.

In a July 20 update, Ian Browne said Story hoped to start the rehab assignment next month, a timeline that matches the steady climb from treatment to baseball activity. NBC Sports echoed that he was nearing the next step, and the Red Sox now have to plan for the baseball ripple effects that come once Story is sent out on assignment.

That matters in Worcester as much as it does in Boston. A Story rehab stint would force the Worcester Red Sox to sort out where he fits on the dirt, how often he plays shortstop, and how much infield time gets taken away from younger players who need competitive at-bats. It also creates a draw at Polar Park, where a veteran with a big-league track record immediately changes the day’s interest level for fans and evaluators alike.

Story’s profile is easy to miss only if the context is ignored. MLB player data lists him at 33 years old, 6-foot-1 and 209 pounds, a right-handed hitter and right-handed thrower who has already used Worcester before on the way back. MLB.com’s transaction log shows he was assigned to a rehab stint with the Worcester Red Sox on Sept. 1, 2024, then activated from the 60-day injured list six days later on Sept. 7.

The bigger organizational subplot is Marcelo Mayer. He was cleared to take dry swings, then later progressed to hitting off a tee, a step forward in a recovery that has carried a much longer horizon. Mayer’s issue was described as a bone stress reaction in his left forearm and wrist area, and reports said he underwent wrist surgery with an expected recovery window of 8 to 12 months.

That longer timetable makes Story’s return even more important for Boston’s middle infield. Mayer had been filling in with Story sidelined, and the Red Sox have kept climbing under Alex Cora, turning what once looked like a lost season into a live race. When Story does come back, the club will have to juggle a roster that already looks crowded, with Worcester likely absorbing the pressure first before Boston has to make the harder call.

For reporters on rehab watch, the details will matter more than the calendar. Story’s running, his defensive workload at shortstop, and the quality of his swing against live pitching will tell the story before the official activation does.