As anticipated, the Purple Sox activated shortstop Trevor Story from the 60-day injured checklist, as the previous two-time All-Star is about for his large league motion because the first week of April. Within the corresponding 40-man roster transfer, right-hander Isaiah Campbell was referred to as up from Triple-A and positioned on the massive league model of the 60-day IL, so Campbell’s season has formally been ended by proper elbow irritation. As reported earlier at the moment by NESN’s Jahmai Webster, catcher/infielder Mickey Gasper was optioned to Triple-A to create space for Story on the energetic roster.
Whereas diving for a grounder in Boston’s recreation with the Angels again on April 5, Story suffered a extreme shoulder harm that required what was thought on the time to be a season-ending surgical procedure. Story went by rehab and felt higher than anticipated as he regained energy in his shoulder and issues have improved to the purpose that Story will make it again onto the sector with a couple of weeks to spare within the 2024 marketing campaign.
Since signing a six-year, $140M free agent take care of the Purple Sox previous to the 2022 season, Story has appeared in solely 145 video games, as his shoulder surgical procedure was solely the newest in an extended string of accidents. He was not less than a league-average hitter with an excellent 100 wRC+ from his .238/.303/.434 slash line and 16 homers over 396 plate appearances in 2022, however he has an unsightly .575 OPS within the 202 PA since even that debut season in Boston.
Story’s glovework has remained strong even all through his struggles on the plate, so on the very least, his return ought to enhance what has been a dismal defensive displaying by Boston’s center infielders in his absence. Ceddanne Rafaela and David Hamilton have shared many of the shortstop duties in Story’s absence this 12 months, although Hamilton is on the IL himself with a finger fracture that threatens to finish his season.
As Story resumes his outdated put up at shortstop, the Purple Sox might be transferring Rafaela to second base, within the hopes that the rookie can each discover extra particular person success on the new place and in addition assist the Sox lastly discover a solution on the keystone. Rafaela is certainly one of an astounding 11 gamers who’ve seen time at second base for Boston this season and the transfer to the opposite facet of the infield ought to make him extra of a defensive asset.
Campbell made his main league debut with the Mariners in 2023 and had made a superb first impression with a 2.83 ERA in 28 2/3 innings out of Seattle’s bullpen. The Purple Sox had been intrigued sufficient to acquire Campbell for Luis Urias again in November, however between accidents and numerous time in Triple-A, Campbell has managed solely a 16.20 ERA in 6 2/3 innings for Boston on the large league degree. As a result of his well being points, Campbell hasn’t pitched since he took the mound for Triple-A Worcester in the course of July.