Trevor Story makes his WooSox debut as he inches closer to a return to the Red Sox

WORCESTER — Trevor Story is closing in on his return to the Boston Red Sox.

On Wednesday, Story started at shortstop and hit second for the WooSox in a 10-8 loss to the Rochester Red Wings at Polar Park.

A few days after beginning a rehab assignment in Double-A Portland, Story went 2 for 3 and played five innings at shortstop in his Worcester debut as he works his way back to Boston following offseason elbow surgery.

“It’s exciting,” Story said. “I can just sense my return to being with the Sox is close. It didn’t feel like that always. When you’re not playing, you’re going through the rehab stuff, the days are long, and a lot of people helped me out along the way. And without them we couldn't get to this point.

“So it’s still not done yet, we still have some work to do, but I'm just trying to enjoy my time playing baseball again and get right back into the heat of this playoff race.”

A two-time National League All-Star shortstop with the Colorado Rockies, Story signed a free agent deal with Boston on March 22, 2022. The 30-year-old infielder was limited to 94 games in an injury-riddled first season with the Red Sox, and then underwent internal brace surgery on his right elbow this offseason. The last time he played in a game for the Red Sox was on Sept. 11, 2022.

“Feeling good,” Story said. “Just excited to get back in the game flow of it all because it’s been 10 months since I've played a game, so that was definitely exciting. So just embracing it and just treating this as a mini-spring training, getting ready for the season and arm feels good, body feels good. So I feel happy.”

On Friday, Story began a rehab assignment with Portland. In three games with the Sea Dogs, Story went 2 for 8 with a home run while splitting time between shortstop and designated hitter.

He joined Worcester on Tuesday and was set to start for the WooSox in the opener of their six-game homestand with the Rochester Red Wings — before the game was postponed due to weather. Joining Story in Worcester this week are fellow Red Sox rehabbers Corey Kluber (pitcher) and Reese McGuire (catcher).

Ironically enough, Story spent a month and a half on the injured list last year with a right wrist fracture after being hit by a pitch thrown by Kluber, who was with the Tampa Bay Rays at the time.

“We joke about (how) he broke my hand as we are both (now) hurt and coming back,” Story said Tuesday. “I told (the Red Sox) I don’t want any (live batting practice) against Kluber, and of course that’s what happens, and I still don’t think I have a hit off him in my whole career. He’s good, and I'm excited to watch him throw.”

On Wednesday, Kluber (right shoulder inflammation) tossed two innings in relief — allowing three hits, three runs and striking out two — while McGuire (right oblique strain) started at catcher and went hitless in three at-bats. Those two, like Story, are inching their way closer to a return to the Red Sox.

“Just being able to get back out here and play the game I love and in games that are competitive, you miss that when you’re not able to play,” Story said. “For me, I have a big appreciation for that (especially) when you can’t do it.”

— Contact Tommy Cassell at tcassell@telegram.com. Follow him on Twitter @tommycassell44. 

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Trevor Story makes Worcester Red Sox debut while on rehab assignment