Story one of many reinforcements on the way for Red Sox 

BOSTON -- The Red Sox will get a crucial reinforcement back to their lineup on Tuesday night, as Trevor Story is set to make his 2023 debut.

Earlier this week, the expectation was that Story would take the full term of his 20-day rehab assignment.

“I think just getting the games under the belt, getting those game reps was obviously a big part of the progression,” Story said. “And [it] felt like the work went really well in [Double-A] Portland and in [Triple-A] Worcester. So just kind of a mini Spring Training, if you will, is what it took for me to feel like the body and everything is ready to go. So there will be some ebbs and flow to it I think, but I’m ready to go now -- I’m excited.”

Making his return from right elbow surgery this offseason, Story will start by playing every other day before hopefully shifting to back-to-back games next week.

While the original timeline had projected Story’s return coming in August, the shortstop suggested in June that he could return as early as July if the Red Sox used him as a designated hitter. Though that plan didn't pan out, Story may get some games at DH as he returns to the pace of Major League play.

“Obviously, my whole career I’ve based it on playing every day,” Story said, “and that’s a big calling card of mine and I take a lot of pride in that. Circumstances are a little different now, we want to be smart about it, and to be able to play, there’s some restrictions in the beginning stages. Talking to [manager Alex Cora] and talking to everybody on board, anything we think we can do to get in the lineup I think is definitely on the table.”

While Story may not be in the lineup every day in his initial return, the 30-year-old said he doesn’t feel any limitations in his defense.

Story, who played just 94 games with Boston since signing his six-year, $140 million contract in March 2022, will return as the club’s primary shortstop. He spent the ‘22 season at second base alongside shortstop Xander Bogaerts, so his return to his natural position is a welcome move for the Red Sox, who have used seven players at shortstop in ‘23.

Story joins his club at a pivotal point of the season, as the Red Sox look to claw back from a five-game deficit of an AL Wild Card spot and get back into the postseason conversation. When asked if the sense of urgency of his addition to the lineup impacted his decision to return before the terms of his rehab assignment ended, Story noted that he “wants to help the team as much as [he] can,” but that there's also a fine line to balance so as not to not put himself at risk.

“We did this thing as well as we could and think it just kind of works out, and [is] just kind of smart, to do the 'every other day' thing now,” Story said. “I can push the back to backs to next week, which gives me a little bit of time to adapt to that and also get in there, get in the lineup quicker.”

After spending time in Fort Myers, Fla., at the outset of his rehab, Story made it a point to hang around the clubhouse whenever the team was at home. The shortstop attended both hitters’ and defensive meetings because he “felt like he had some stuff to add there.”

In spending time around Fenway, Story received advice from Chris Sale on how to mentally get through the rehab process. Sale, who is expected to return from his IL stint on Friday, helped Story remember to not be discouraged by up and down days.

Along with Story, Sale is among a number of players on track to join the club as reinforcements in the coming weeks, including Garrett Whitlock and Tanner Houck.

“Obviously not a great series this last time around, but I don’t think you win or lose the season based on one series,” Story said of Boston’s sweep at the hands of Toronto. “We’ve kind of been a little streaky, as it has been all year long. And I think we can get just as hot as we were cold this past weekend. We got some reinforcements coming with Sale and Whit and Houck and those guys.”