Story had surgery on his throwing elbow and is expected to miss most - if not all - of the 2023 season, delaying Boston's plan to shift him across the infield to replace Xander Bogaerts at shortstop. Red Sox Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom said that Story underwent an internal bracing procedure on his right ulnar collateral ligament. The operation is less drastic than Tommy John surgery.
Analysis: Even an optimistic four- to six-month timetable further upends the Red Sox infield in an offseason when Bogaerts signed with San Diego as a free agent. Story moved to second base when he signed with Boston last offseason, batting .238 with 16 homers and 66 RBIs, appearing in 94 games while fighting injuries to his wrist and heel. Kike Hernandez is a possibility at shortstop. |