Boston Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story is almost back on the field, but if you’re checking his rehab assignment numbers, you might be wondering if that’s actually a good thing. The dude is hitting a dismal 4-for-25 with only one walk for the Triple-A WooSox, and he hasn’t even sniffed an extra-base hit. Seven strikeouts? Yikes.
The .160 Bat Isn’t Just Rehab Rust, It’s a Red Flag
Before his injury, Story was already struggling big time at the plate, logging a brutal .547 OPS. That’s tough to watch, not just a slump. Now, on his rehab stint, he’s barely moved the needle, posting that ugly 4-for-25 line with zero pop and seven strikeouts for the WooSox. We all know rehab results aren’t everything, right? It’s about getting reps, getting healthy. But when a guy is struggling *this* much, and his previous numbers weren’t sparkling, you gotta wonder if this is more than just getting back into game shape. Even Story himself admits he’s “a touch off” on squaring pitches, which is exactly what the stat sheet is screaming.
Boston’s Infield Has Been Balling, Now What?
Here’s the real kicker that makes this whole situation sticky: while Story’s been rehabbing, the Red Sox’s middle infield has been low-key crushing it. Andruw Monasterio has been a production machine at shortstop. Nick Sogard and Anthony Seigler are doing their job admirably at second base, especially stepping up with Curtis Mead sidelined. Chad Tracy is even set to take over at second when Story returns. So, imagine this nightmare scenario: Story comes back, still hitting like he was before, and he’s actually a *downgrade* for the offense that’s been humming along. That’s a very real possibility, folks. His return could force the Red Sox to make some tough decisions, potentially benching or moving on from these red-hot bats who have been keeping the team afloat.
Story Says He’s ‘Feeling Really Good’, But the Numbers Don’t Lie
Despite the rough stats, Story is apparently “feeling really good” about his rehab, according to The Boston Globe’s Alex Speier. He’s focusing on dictating at-bats and feeling good, hoping to hit some barrels soon. He even acknowledged that the stellar play from current Red Sox players has given him “a little bit of a cushion” to take his time. He wants to be “the best version of myself” when he returns, which is admirable. But wanting it and performing are two different things when your team needs a boost, not a drag. His confident words need the box score to back them up, pronto.
The Red Sox front office has some tough calls ahead. Getting a star like Story back *should* be exciting, but with those numbers, it’s starting to feel more like a high-stakes gamble. Will Story find his rhythm immediately, or will his return disrupt a surprisingly effective infield? Boston better hope he finds that barrel quickly.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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