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BOSTON — The Red Sox are now preparing for the possibility that shortstop Trevor Story won’t play again this season.
Before Tuesday’s home opener, chief baseball official Craig Breslow revealed that Story will undergo surgery later this week to repair a glenoid rim fracture in his left shoulder.
“What we’re seeing is probably six months or so,” Breslow said. “It’s hard to speculate specifically beyond that, but you can do the math there.”
The surgery will be performed on Friday in Los Angeles by renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache.
Story dislocated his left shoulder while diving in Anaheim on April 5.
“When I heard it come out, I knew it was a bad moment,” Story said. “Just the pain that I feel, I’ve never experienced anything like this. You always try to stay positive and just hope that things go away and come back. Try to make the best of the situation. But obviously there’s something else going on, and More serious than I hoped. It’s hard to imagine.”
After the team’s 7-1 loss to the Orioles, Story fought back tears while facing the reality that he would miss most of the season for the second straight year. After right elbow surgery, Story played 43 games in 23 years.
“A lot of emotions. Frustration. Not really understanding,” Storey said. “This moment is difficult and it’s hard to comprehend its significance.”
The 31-year-old was examined by Red Sox physician Evan O’Donnell on Monday, when the club became concerned about the bone structure in Story’s shoulder.
Manager Alex Cora said earlier Tuesday that Story would fly to Los Angeles on Friday to get a second opinion from ElAttrache.
“This is a recent development,” Breslow said. “[Story] In fact, after speaking with our medical staff and getting further confirmation from a second opinion, Trevor decided to go ahead with surgery, and after we discussed some concerns about the bone structure, Trevor decided to go ahead with surgery. “
Losing Story is huge for the Red Sox. After dealing with injuries his first two seasons in Boston, he entered spring training in top shape and looked ready to become a mainstay at the team’s No. 3 hitter and shortstop.
“It’s huge,” Breslow said of losing Story. “We’re not going to hide what he means to the team on the defensive end, and we have full confidence that he will contribute offensively as well. We saw what he did in spring training. I think, fortunately, he has become this The leader of this team, he still has a way of having a positive impact on it. Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem like it’s going to be on the field right now.”
At least initially, the Red Sox will replace Story with an interior platoon up the middle.
David Hamilton will start at shortstop against right-handers. Romy Gonzalez, who was promoted from Triple-A before Tuesday’s game, will compete with the lefty for the honor.
At second base, Enmanuel Valdez will start against right-handers and Pablo Reyes will get the nod against left-handers.
Rookie center fielder Sedan Rafaela can also play both center infield spots, but the Red Sox prefer to keep defensive players in center field as often as possible.
Another infielder looming for consideration is Vaughn Grissom, who missed spring training with left hamstring and groin ailments and will begin minor league rehab duties Saturday.
The Red Sox acquired Gleason to play second base, but given Story’s development, it’s possible he could see some time on short notice.
“Like I said the other day, we have to keep moving forward,” Cora said. “I know it sounds hard, but that’s the nature of the game. Yes, we’re going to miss him as a leader, as a player, as a baserunner, as a defender, as a hitter. But we have to keep moving forward. Whoever is going to hit the short ball that day, just play to the level that he plays. Don’t try to be Trevor Story. There’s only one of those, and he probably won’t play this year.”
