Both Story and Anthony struggled to start their rehab assignments in Triple-A baseball. While Story tuned out the critics amid his rough patch, Anthony showed some reaction at the plate, proving he was serious when he said he wanted to put the criticism surrounding his injury recovery behind him. Whether they still have something to prove or not, both Story and Anthony decided to extend their stints in the minors—or so they said.

“Roman Anthony just said he (and Trevor Story) decided they wanted to get more at-bats here in Triple-A Worcester today as opposed to wasting a day traveling to New York,” as reported by Tommy Cassell of Worcester Telegram & Gazette.

Curious decision on Story, Anthony’s part

Usually, when a player is given the green light to return to the major league lineup, it takes no time for him to pack his things and be on his way to wherever the MLB club is playing. However, it appears Anthony and Story were in no rush to leave Worcester, nor did they have any desire to spend a day as tourists in New York City.

Focused on getting back to 100 percent and finding their mojo again, the duo opted to stick around for at least one more game with the WooSox. It remains to be seen how the Red Sox react to Story and Anthony’s decision.

Just recently, Boston’s Chief Baseball Officer (CBO) Craig Breslow guaranteed Story’s starting job would be waiting for him under one condition. Perhaps this changes things and how the organization views the injured infielder and left fielder.

Story and Anthony’s stats in minors

While Story has now been in Worcester for a while, Anthony is still new to the lineup. However, their numbers indicate that has had little to do with their production.

Through eight games with the WooSox, Story has gone 4-for-29 at the plate, with two runs, two RBIs, and 10 strikeouts. His batting stats are as tough to look at, with a .138 AVG, .167 OBP, .138 SLG, and .305 OPS. Throughout the 2026 MLB season, he had registered a .206 AVG, .244 OBP, .303 SLG, and .547 OPS.

As for Anthony, his numbers are a bit better. He’s only played in two games at Triple-A, going 2-for-8. He went hitless in his first game before going 2-for-4 in his second, including a home run. His Triple-A slash line stands at a .250 AVG, .333 OBP, .625 SLG, and .958 OPS. At the MLB level, Anthony has a .229 AVG, .354 OBP, .321 SLG, and .675 OPS through 30 games with Boston in 2026.

“We’ll have conversations with [Story] and [Chad Tracy] will work through that,” Breslow admitted on The Greg Hill Show. “Trevor will be the first to admit he struggled before getting hurt this season, but he was also someone who carried our offense for months at a time last year.

“I don’t think we got to see a full healthy version of him, he was battling through the sports hernia injury that limited his ability to be the explosive athlete he can be. And so that’s what we’re looking for, and when he’s right, he is a guy that fits into the middle of a lineup.”

Although Breslow didn’t entirely commit to naming Story the starting shortstop when he is finally back in MLB, his comments did paint a clear picture. Boston won’t rush Story’s rehab. Until he is fully recovered from sports hernia surgery, the Red Sox may not call him up. When they finally do, it will be because he’s at 100 percent, and all signs indicate he will reclaim his place at shortstop.

Boston may not care about Story’s struggles in minors

Story tuned out the criticism surrounding his rough rehab assignment, but has yet to show Boston he is ready to return to the Show. Maybe the Red Sox agree with Story that the results aren’t what they need to see from him, and all they need is proof that he has healed. That appears to be the key condition delaying his activation from the 60-day injured list (IL).

During his latest appearance, Breslow didn’t point a blaming finger at Story’s abysmal numbers with the Triple-A affiliate, the Worcester Red Sox. All he mentioned was how injuries have plagued the Texan throughout the 2026 MLB campaign. That is further evidence of what Boston’s evaluation of Story’s rehab is centered on.

Story could be blasting home runs day in and day out in the minors, but if he doesn’t show the right things from a medical standpoint, he may stay in Worcester longer. And vice versa, maybe Story never finds his footing in terms of production in Triple-A, but if he reacts positively and remains setback-free on the field, he could be back with Tracy and company at Fenway Park soon.

Story could start thanks to his defense

Story’s offensive production has been a loud talking point in Boston for some time now. Still, his consistency at shortstop may give him the upper hand in getting his team’s nod and watching Andruw Monasterio, who is replacing Story, go down the ranks.

Comparing Story and Monasterio’s numbers may not be an even fight, as the latter has played more than twice as many games as the former. Still, Monasterio has recorded -7 runs prevented and -9 outs above average (OAA) in the 2026 MLB season, compared with Story’s -2 and -3, respectively, according to Baseball Savant.

“Overall, feeling really good,” Story admitted in dialogue with The Boston Globe. “I’m on [time with] the barrel, just a touch off [on squaring pitches]. [It’s] to be expected. I think more than the results, it’s more about how I’m feeling and kind of dictating the at-bat. And I’m in a good spot there. So, feel good about [returning].”

Although the Red Sox are set to bring Story and Isiah Kiner-Falefa back, there’s a catch. Moreover, the former has yet to impress, and not everybody agrees he’s ready to return just yet. The thing is, if Story isn’t called up now, after admitting he feels alright, then when?

Never-ending Story for Trevor

Story has been sidelined in the 2026 MLB season since May. The Red Sox’ shortstop underwent sports hernia surgery, was placed on the 60-day injured list (IL), and has slowly worked his way back since. Sent on a rehab assignment to Worcester, Story has already played seven games in the minor leagues but barely has anything to show for it.

Through seven outings, Story has managed just four hits in 25 at-bats, while putting up a .160 AVG, .192 OBP, .160 SLG, and .352 OPS. His base running may be salvaged from the critics, as he has managed to score half the times he has reached first base. Story has yet to hit anything better than a single in the MiLB.

Moreover, Story has two RBIs, a walk, and seven strikeouts. Due to his aggressive nature at the plate, striking out and chasing balls well outside the zone has long been an issue for Story. In Worcester, it’s been no different.

Red Sox fans wary of Story’s return

Struggling in the minors, fans in The Hub are wary of how Story may look at the plate when he returns to Fenway Park. Story made it clear he isn’t looking at the stat box. However, that’s partly because it’s a deflating sheet to look at. Needless to say, the fanbase in Beantown is looking at it, and are far from thrilled.

“On one hand it’s good he’s itching to come back. On the other, he hasn’t done anything in the minor rehab to suggest he will be good to go. For me stick down until you show consistency then OK,” a fan commented on social media.

Regardless of the outside noise, all Story cares about is feeling good and confident enough to take on major league pitchers on a daily basis while being a reliable option for Boston at shortstop or wherever interim manager Chad Tracy needs him on the infield.

Story’s contract

Some fans have gone as far as to suggest Story stay in the minors through the season. That’s unrealistic. He may not have performed as expected, but Boston is still paying him a $25 million salary in 2026 and will do so again in 2027. In 2028, Story’s six-year, $140 million contract could be extended through a team option.

Story declined to opt out of his contract prior to the 2026 MLB season, and this is the hand he’s been dealt because of it: facing harsh criticism from fans and dealing with a considerable setback that has raised even more questions about his ability at the plate, where he’s left plenty of them ever since he arrived in Boston in 2022.

“I did everything I could,” he said, via Chris Cotillo of MassLive. “I thought I made that clear. I took all the shots (injections) I could, as soon as I could. I tried to do everything to get back on the field. Unfortunately, maybe we pushed too hard. Every time I tried to do that, it may have set me back a little bit. But at the same time, I saw three outside doctors that told me this was a three-month injury. After it all, it took right about that much.

“I don’t have anything to say to anyone or anything to prove to anyone. For me, I’m just excited to get back and play baseball with the guys. People are going to talk regardless — good or bad.”

The criticism stemmed from the fact that his recovery was initially expected to be much shorter than it ultimately turned out to be. Fortunately for him and the rest of the team, all indications are that he will be back in a Red Sox uniform in the coming days.

What injury did Roman Anthony suffer?

Roman Anthony went down in early May 2026 after suffering a partially torn ligament in his ring finger along with a right wrist sprain, retroactively placed on the IL on May 5 and later transferred to the 60-day IL. The setback hit right as he was finding his rhythm at the plate—he was riding a mini hot streak, hitting .385 over his final four games before landing on the shelf.

Before the injury cut his start short, Anthony appeared in 30 games for Boston, posting a .229/.354/.321 slash line with 1 HR, 5 RBIs, 12 runs scored, 20 walks, and 2 stolen bases over 109 at-bats. Though the overall average looked modest on paper, his top-tier plate discipline stood out, drawing walks at a strong rate to keep his on-base percentage healthy.

Anthony’s highly anticipated return

The BoSox are currently wrapping up an away interleague set against the Miami Marlins before heading into two critical series against the New York Yankees in the Bronx and back home at Fenway Park versus the Seattle Mariners. Meanwhile, Roman Anthony has been making strong progress on his minor-league rehab assignment.

Following games with Triple-A Worcester this week, the Red Sox will re-evaluate his status on Thursday; if cleared, he is slated to rejoin the big-league club as early as Friday, August 28, just in time for the high-stakes rivalry series at Yankee Stadium.

Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy revealed progress in Crochet’s latest injury update, but the ace may still be a ways away from taking the mound at Fenway Park. Having missed more than 120 consecutive days in the 2026 MLB campaign, Crochet also missed out on an intriguing aspect of his contract. A clause kicked in, stripping the ace of his ability to opt out of the deal before the 2030 season. Now, Crochet is guaranteed to stay in Boston through 2031.

Moreover, the Red Sox have a $15 million club option that could keep Crochet under contract through 2032. Instead of becoming an unrestricted free agent in 2030, the starting pitcher will now have to wait until 2032 or 2033 to reach free agency, by which point he will be 33 years old. Obviously, Crochet wasn’t thrilled to learn the clause had kicked in, but he isn’t holding any sort of grudge against the Red Sox, either.

“I’ve long since accepted it,” Crochet said, according to The Boston Globe. “Regardless of that, my goal is to come back and help the team in any way that I can.”

Potential bad blood between team and player

While he did come to terms with it, Crochet’s statement underlines he isn’t particularly thrilled about the voided opt-out, which could become a source of tension later when he gets to decide about his future in the Show.

Fortunately for Boston, however, the recently triggered clause guarantees it will be a while before that moment of truth arrives. If the Red Sox can win in the meantime, it would go a long way toward smoothing out any potential differences between Crochet and the brass in the Athens of America.

Crochet expected back in different role

When the Red Sox handed Crochet a six-year, $170 million contract ahead of the 2026 MLB season, it was clear they envisioned him as the franchise’s ace. However, he could only hold that title for six games. Since then, he’s been on the 60-day injured list (IL) and has missed more than 120 games.

There’s still hope he will return this season and ahead of the postseason, but he won’t do so as a starting pitcher. Instead, his rehab process is planned to return as an alternative in the bullpen.

“Now throwing from 90 feet and adding intensity, Crochet is aiming to make it back as a reliever for the Red Sox,” as stated by Theo DeRosa on MLB.com.

Red Sox taking their time

Boston knows better than to toss Crochet right back into the fire, and having him throw most of the pitches after dealing with left shoulder inflammation would be far from a wise decision. Instead, the Red Sox will have him progressively acclimate to action.

If the Red Sox go on a deep playoff run, who knows? Maybe Crochet will resume his ace duties at some stage, but for the time being, he won’t be on the mound during the early innings. Things will stay that way for a while.

First things first, though, Crochet needs to keep making progress in his rehab. Only then can Boston truly decide on its star’s workload and role.

As the Red Sox look to keep their red-hot streak going, they understand that getting their key pitchers back will go a long way. On that note, Tracy delivered a clear update on where each injured pitcher stands heading into the 2026 MLB season’s home stretch.

“[Whitlock] will throw a live batting practice on Wednesday. We’ll see how that goes, how he feels, and if we’re able to activate him after that,” Tracy admitted to media, via NESN. “Slaten stayed back [in Boston], he’s continuing to ramp up his throwing progression. [Both Slaten and Crochet] are still throwing, increasing intensity, and back in Boston.”

Red Sox’s injuries at the mound

Crochet, Boston’s ace, is certainly the team’s biggest absence from the rotation. Dealing with shoulder inflammation, the 27-year-old has been on the 60-day injured list (IL) since April. His first year under his new contract in Boston has been troubling. The team’s ace missed over 120 games, and as a result, Crochet has lost a contract-related clause built into his six-year, $170 million deal.

Still, the adversity doesn’t end there for the Red Sox and their pitchers. Though inching closer to his return, Whitlock remains on the 15-day injured list. He could be activated ahead of the three-game series against the New York Yankees in the Bronx, but he must prove himself to Tracy and the staff first.

As for Slaten, he was placed on the 15-day IL on Aug. 16 with right elbow inflammation. The 28-year-old reliever is trending toward a return in September. Injuries don’t end there for the Red Sox. Starting pitchers Kutter Crawford and Tanner Houck remain on the 60-day IL, as does reliever Johan Oviedo.

Red Sox managed to weather the storm

For the Red Sox, the 2026 MLB campaign has proven that when it rains, it pours, but that can also mean an opportunity for the overlooked to blossom into key roles. Boston has done just that, relying heavily on minor-league call-ups who have exceeded expectations, and the team hasn’t lost a step despite the injuries.

In fact, Boston has even shifted into another gear. All that remains to be seen is whether the Red Sox can keep it up when their lineup morphs back into its Opening Day version late on the year.

“Story could join the team in Miami as soon as Wednesday,” as reported by Jen McCaffrey on The Athletic. “The Red Sox will need to open three roster spots within the next week or so.”

In addition to Story and Kiner-Falefa, Roman Anthony, though a bit behind the other two, is also expected to return soon. It makes for exciting news in Beantown, though it comes at a price. And with a headache for interim manager Chad Tracy.

After watching the trio of players go down within a span of weeks earlier in the 2026 MLB season, the Triple-A call-ups Mickey Gasper, Anthony Seigler, and Nick Sogard have not only risen to the challenge but also played crucial roles day in and day out.

Red Sox must make roster moves

It’s no mystery why Boston managed to stay alive in the AL Wild Card race despite the key absences. Now, however, the Red Sox must make a decision and determine who will be sent back down to Triple-A to make room for Story and Kiner-Falefa.

“Seigler is [likely] the odd man out,” The Athletic’s McCaffrey reported on whom the Red Sox might send down to make room in their roster. “If Seigler is optioned when Story or Kiner-Falefa returns, [Andruw] Monasterio could be the other player optioned.”

Though not a minor-league callup, Monasterio saw his playing time increased since the rough months of May and June, when the Red Sox placed Story, Kiner-Falefa, and Anthony on the 60-day injured list (IL). With the trio expected to return before long, Boston could shift back to its regular lineup to start the year. Whether that’s wise or not, that’s a different question.

Stats comparison

According to MLB insider Marino Pepen, the Red Sox and Tolle are open to discussing a contract extension in the coming months. “The Red Sox and Payton Tolle are open to negotiating a contract extension,” Pepén reported on X. “Tolle, who possesses top-of-the-rotation potential, is in the ideal window to hammer out a deal.”

Pepen added that Abreu’s future in Boston could also be secured via an offseason extension. “Wilyer Abreu could also negotiate an extension in the offseason,” Pepén posted. “Sources indicate that the Red Sox are motivated to lock down this young core for years to come.”

Boston hopes to capitalized on key vulnerabilities around the division. The Yankees were recently dealt a major blow with Max Fried landing on the injured list, while the Toronto Blue Jays continue to flounder despite Vladimir Guerrero Jr. making history with an unwanted regular-season streak.

Tolle’s breakout second season in Boston

The 23-year-old southpaw has made 20 starts for the Red Sox, proving his early success was no fluke as he rapidly develops into one of the rotation’s premier weapons. Here’s a look at his regular-season numbers so far:

• Record: 8–6
• ERA: 2.97
• Games Started (GS): 20
• Innings Pitched (IP): 115.0
• Strikeouts (SO): 128
• WHIP: 1.06
• Batting Average Against (BAA): .216
• Strikeouts Per 9 Innings (K/9): 10.02

Abreu’s future with the Red Sox takes shape

Now in his fourth big-league campaign in Boston, Abreu could be in line to anchor the Red Sox outfield for years to come. Having made his postseason debut in 2025, the Venezuelan outfielder continues to prove his long-term value as the club pushes down the stretch.

Through his first four seasons in Boston, Abreu has already established himself as an elite defender, taking home back-to-back Gold Glove Awards in right field. While questions remain regarding his consistency against left-handed pitching, his overall impact has been undeniable, boasting a career 12.8 WAR and a solid .257 batting average.

“The Red Sox still would love to come away with a shortstop by the end of the day,” USA Today insider Bob Nightengale reported on his X account after the Rutschman trade was confirmed.

Whether Boston moves quickly enough to beat the clock ahead of the MLB trade deadline (set for 6 p.m. ET) remains to be seen. However, the report shines a light on just how invested the Red Sox front office is. After a rough start to the season and parting ways with Alex Cora, the Red Sox have become one of the hottest teams in the American League and are acting accordingly at the deadline.

Who could Boston go after?

The shortstop market is an intriguing one at the deadline. Although the demand is quite high, there isn’t an abundance of options. Names to watch include Zach Neto, Otto Lopez, and CJ Abrams. However, each comes with its own question marks.

As noted by Nightengale on Foul Territory, a trade involving Neto’s departure from the Angels would be “stunning,” which may dampen the Red Sox’s chances of landing the shortstop. As for Abrams, reports indicate the Washington Nationals haven’t entertained trade offers internally, but that could change if the right offer comes along.

The Red Sox may pursue one of those three names or opt for a dark horse instead. Acquiring an infielder who can transition to shortstop—or moving an in-house player to the position—is another option for the club in Beantown. What’s clear is that the front office will do everything in their power to bolster the lineup ahead of the postseason.

Current depth at shortstop

As things stand, the Red Sox face something of a crisis at shortstop. With Marcelo Mayer, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, and Trevor Story injured, Boston has only Andruw Monasterio and Romy Gonzalez as shortstop options. Thus, adding another option before the deadline is paramount.

The Red Sox addressed their need for a star backstop, but it shouldn’t end there. At the very least, they’ll make an effort to find more help, even if they can’t land it before the stretch run of the 2026 season.

Unfortunately for Dodgers fans, they’ll have to wait until they see Skubal on the mound with the classic blue cap. The Dodgers will send Emmet Sheehan to the mound tonight vs Red Sox, and Skubal needs time to travel, join the team, and line up for his first official start after leaving the Tigers.

Skubal, whose salary compares to Shohei Ohtani, will provide the Dodgers with an absolute boost as they’ve been dealing with some sort of injuries on their opening rotation. Still, it won’t be tonight against the Red Sox.

Emmet Sheehan’s stats in 2026

Emmet Sheehan has recorded a 4–7 record, a 4.95 ERA, and 104 strikeouts over 19 appearances and 92.2 innings pitched. Hence, Dodgers fans really hoped Skubal could make a quick debut, but it won’t be the case.

Sheehan is still a serviceable pitcher. He features an electric fastball and a sharp slider, but has fought through stretches of poor command and high ERAs. That’s all it is right now.

The Red Sox are in red-hot form

The Red Sox are 7-3 in the last 10 games. However, the Dodgers are 69-42 this season. Hence, this could be a barnburner of a game. Ceddanne Rafaela and Caleb Durbin have improved massively.

Hence, if Sheehan is not in a good day, the Red Sox can torch him. This will be an absolute must-see game. These are two very good teams in an inter-league matchup.

According to reports from The Athletic and other outlets, including ESPN, the Red Sox have expressed interest in Zach Neto, CJ Abrams, and Jeremy Peña as they look to upgrade one of the most important defensive positions on the field.

Finding the right fit, however, may prove difficult. Each of the three shortstops plays a significant role for his current club, meaning Boston would likely need to part with valuable prospects or major league talent to complete a deal.

Which shortstops have been linked to the Red Sox?

Neto has emerged as one of the most intriguing names available, although the Los Angeles Angels are reportedly not eager to move the 25-year-old. With more than three seasons of team control remaining, the Angels are believed to value him highly despite being willing to listen to offers.

Abrams could be an even more difficult player to acquire. The Washington Nationals have reportedly shown a willingness to discuss offers, but the 24-year-old has enjoyed one of the best offensive seasons of his career, making his asking price considerably higher. Entering the deadline, Abrams has hit 27 home runs with 82 RBIs, a .938 OPS, and 19 stolen bases, including a dominant July at the plate.

Meanwhile, Peña has also surfaced in trade speculation, but the Houston Astros remain in postseason contention. Although he will become a free agent after the 2027 season, Houston reportedly views itself as a buyer rather than a seller, making a deal less likely.

Will Boston make another infield move?

The addition of Curtis Mead suggests the Red Sox are still looking to improve their roster before the deadline, but acquiring an impact shortstop would represent a much larger commitment.

Whether Boston ultimately lands Neto, Abrams, Peña, or turns to another option, the club appears determined to continue strengthening its infield as it pushes for a postseason berth.