Story 'feeling optimistic' about returning to Red Sox this season

The ending to Trevor Story's 2024 campaign has yet to be written.

Many around the Boston Red Sox organization - including Story himself - thought his season was over after he fractured his shoulder in mid-April. However, recent developments have made a return possible.

"I didn't expect it to be going this well, to be honest, just because I know how bad it was early on in the rehab process," Story told WEEI's Rob Bradford.

"I really think my body turned a corner. Mentally, too, my mind trusts my body now more than ever. Obviously, I'm not 100% there, but I think I've made a lot of strides towards that."

Story is in the third campaign of the six-year, $140-million contract he signed with the Red Sox in the 2022 offseason. He's been limited to eight games in 2024 after appearing in just 43 last year.

However, the 31-year-old said he's been doing both tee and flip drills without pain recently as part of his shoulder progression.

"Over the last two weeks, the swings have been really good. Really no hesitation or hold-back in the swing, and I think that's why we're feeling optimistic about it."

Boston has primarily deployed David Hamilton at shortstop in Story's absence. The 26-year-old has posted a .706 OPS with 28 steals.

Story, meanwhile, is a two-time Silver Slugger award winner and widely regarded as one of the game's best defensive shortstops. His return would be a serious boost for a Red Sox team that entered Friday one-and-half-games back of the final wild-card spot in the American League.