The Boston Red Sox are officially in desperation mode.
Back in last place in the division after a three-game sweep at the hands of the Blue Jays, and five games back of Toronto for the final playoff spot in the wild card race as a result, the Sox realize time is no longer their friend. It arguably never was their friend, especially after a white-hot July saw them fail to make up anything resembling significant ground on the wild card race, but with a post-deadline freefall upon the club, the club is clearing running out of ways to dodge their obvious problems.
Perhaps that’s why the Red Sox are finally making moves that speak to their dire situation, with at least two key Red Sox talents expected to return to the club before the end of the week, according to manager Alex Cora.
BOSTON, MA – MAY 28: Trevor Story #10 of the Boston Red Sox makes a throw to first base in the fifth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park on May 28, 2022 during game two of a double header in Boston, Massachusetts. (Kathryn Riley/Getty Images)
The first piece of big news shared by Cora ahead of Monday’s game against the Royals was that infielder Trevor Story would be activated and join the club in time for tomorrow’s game.
Story, who is on the mend from offseason elbow surgery, has been rehabbing in the minors since July 21, and has been with Triple-A Worcester since July 26.
After three games with Double-A Portland, where the 30-year-old Story went 2-for-8 with a home run, Story moved on up to Woo Sox. And he’s certainly looked ready for action of late, with a.313 average, with three home runs and six RBIs, along with a 1.140 OPS, in 10 games for Worcester. Story put a bow on his assignment with a 2-for-3 effort featuring a double and a home run in an Aug. 6 contest against Syracuse.
What’s interesting about Story’s return is that this is a slight change from the original plan as of this past weekend, which called for Story to use the full 20-day window of his rehab assignment before rejoining the club.
Story had originally circled last weekend’s series against the Blue Jays as his original return target, but that obviously did not happen. As for his updated timeline, Boston finding themselves on the brink of falling out of the race may have played a factor in the urgency from both Story and the team.
Trevor Story of the Boston Red Sox is congratulated in the dugout after scoring against the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park on August 27, 2022. (Winslow Townson/Getty Images)
Signed to a six-year, $140 million contract just before the start of the 2022 season, Story is looking to bounce back from a 2022 that included a career-worst .238 average and .303 on-base percentage.
The right-swinging shortstop’s pop was still there, however, as he recorded 22 doubles and 16 homers, along with 66 RBIs, during that 94-game run with Boston last year.
At the very worst, Story will be looked upon as the much-needed backbone of a middle infield that’s been a disaster at its very best, and with once-dependable veteran options like Kiké Hernandez and Christian Arroyo playing themselves out of town or down to the minors.
The two-time All-Star and Silver Slugger has a career .268 average, along with 174 home runs and 516 RBIs, in 839 career games between the Rockies and Red Sox.
Chris Sale of the Boston Red Sox pitches against the Cardinals on May 13, 2023 at Fenway Park. (Winslow Townson/Getty Images)
Help is also on the way for a Boston pitching staff that may be reaching its breaking point, too.
That’ll start with lefty Chris Sale expected to return to the club and get the start for Friday’s series-opening showdown with the Tigers, according to Cora.
It’s not set in stone just yet, which is always worth mentioning when it comes to Sale and how the Red Sox need to handle him, but Cora noted there’s a ‘good chance’ Sale’s start will indeed come this Friday, which is perhaps their strongest phrasing yet in regards to No. 41.
WORCESTER – Former Cy Young Award winner and Boston Red Sox ace Chris Sale pitches in a batting practice session at Polar Park.
The latest update on Sale’s timeline comes on the heels of a Sunday rehab start that saw Sale rack up seven strikeouts and surrender three hits over 4.1 innings of work for Triple-A Worcester. The start was Sale’s second in a week for Worcester, with the 34-year-old striking out 10 batters and surrendering zero runs over 6.1 innings of work.
The 6-foot-6 Sale has not made an appearance for the Red Sox since June 1.
And to get Sale back at all feels like a win (for now, obviously) given that aforementioned June 1 exit, as the ‘vibes’ of that early exit made you think it was indeed a potentially devastating injury given the noticeable dip in Sale’s velocity as well as the general sort of unknown that came with his original timeline.
Sale has posted a 5-2 record and has tallied 71 strikeouts in 59 innings of work this season.
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – AUGUST 20: Garrett Whitlock #72 of the Boston Red Sox pitches in the ninth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 20, 2022 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
Tanner Houck of the Red Sox pitches against the Yankees at Yankee Stadium on June 10, 2023. (Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
