Red Sox SS takes another step in rehab as he nears improbable 2024 return from injury

The Boston Red Sox have been playing good baseball throughout their 2024 campaign, putting themselves within striking distance of a Wild Card spot with less than 50 games to play. One of the more impressive aspects of their successful run thus far is that they've done it without veteran shortstop Trevor Story.

Story suffered a fractured glenoid (shoulder) in a matchup against the Los Angeles Angels in early April and had surgery that was expected to keep him out until at least October. Now, it looks like the shortstop might come back sooner than anticipated.

Prior to Friday's game against the Houston Astros at Fenway Park, Red Sox manager Alex Cora told The Boston Globe's Alex Speier that Story will take batting practice on Monday before they take on the Texas Rangers. The manager expressed that he's convinced that Story will play again this year after it was thought to be nearly impossible earlier in the year.

If Story's healthy, he could slide back in at shortstop, second base or designated hitter and provide Boston with the infield bat that can hit left-handed pitching that they were looking for at the deadline, as he's a career .299 hitter (.972 OPS) against them.

In just eight games this season, Story hit .226 with a .617 OPS and four RBIs.

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