The Boston Red Sox have just 28 games left in their 2024 campaign, and they're 3.5 games out of the final Wild Card spot in the American League.
With that knowledge, Boston needs to be at their best over the next month to pass the Minnesota Twins and make the postseason for the first time since they lost in the ALCS in 2021.
The Red Sox may be getting some help from an unexpected source in the near future, as shortstop Trevor Story, who was believed to have suffered a season-ending shoulder injury back in April, is close to a return.
According to The Boston Globe, Story believes he'll begin a rehab assignment "at some point early next week."
UPDATE: MassLive's Christopher Smith has reported that Story will begin his rehab assignment with Triple-A Worcester on Sunday.
Story went down while trying to make a diving play in a game against the Los Angeles Angels on April 5. he had appeared in eight games to that point and hit .226 with a .617 OPS, four RBIs and a stolen base.
While it may have seemed smarter for Boston to hold Story back from a return, David Hamilton's broken finger, which will likely keep him out until the postseason, may have cleared a path for the 31-year-old's return to the field. Even if he's not at his best, he could give just as competitive if not better at-bats than Mickey Gasper, Nick Sogard and Romy Gonzalez.
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