Trevor Story has a “really big chance” to return in “24”

Red Sox

“He takes a different stance every day.”

The Red Sox could get reinforcements for the final phase of the 2024 season.

Boston is currently 3.5 games out of a wild-card spot in the American League, and the Red Sox lineup could be bolstered by the possible return of infielder Trevor Story, who hasn’t played in a game since April 5.

Story, 31, underwent shoulder surgery just weeks into the season to repair a fractured glenoid rim. Boston reported at the time that the veteran would need a six-month recovery time.

While initial projections suggested Story was not a lost cause for the remainder of the 2024 season, Red Sox Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow presented a positive update on WEEI on Thursday morning.

“He continues to make tremendous progress and when you have him around in the locker room, he has a different attitude every day,” Breslow said during an appearance on WEEI’s “The Greg Hill Show.” “He’s excited to get on the field. Liam (Hendriks) is expected to return sooner, but there’s a really good chance Trevor will put on a Red Sox uniform at some point and help us.”

Story first expressed optimism about a return this season in July after admitting he was ahead of schedule with his rehab.

“We are currently having discussions about it,” Story said when asked about the possibility of playing again this season. The Boston Globe Alex Speier: “It’s too early to say if that will happen or not, but I always think about it, if I have the chance to play in the playoffs, that’s why I came to Boston.

“I think we’re being very conscientious about the process, we’re being respectful and we’re not doing anything that my body doesn’t say yes to. It’s too early to say, but of course it would be great if I could.”

Story injured his shoulder in his eighth game of the season. He dislocated and fractured his left shoulder after diving for a ground ball during Boston’s road game against the Angels on April 5.

Story only made 31 at-bats this season and had a batting average of .226 with three doubles and four RBIs.

Story’s tenure with Boston has been largely marked by injuries since the powerful infielder signed a six-year, $140 million contract with the Red Sox just before the start of the 2022 season.

In his first season with Boston, Story was only able to play in 94 games due to multiple injuries before undergoing surgery to repair the UCL in his throwing arm in January 2023. He finally returned in the 2023 season, but did not make his debut until August and ultimately only played in 43 games.

Overall, Story only played in 145 games with Boston over three seasons, posting a batting average of .227/.288/.394 with 19 home runs and 84 RBIs.

Still, the Red Sox would welcome the potential return of Story and Hendriks, who is in Triple-A Worcester recovering from Tommy John surgery. Hendriks could give Boston another valuable late-inning pitcher, while Story could add much-needed power from the right side of the plate while providing good defense at shortstop and second base.