The question of whether Trevor Story could’ve underwent elbow surgery earlier in the offseason promises to be one of the top issues facing the Red Sox as they enter Spring Training.
And Kiké Hernández is pushing back on that narrative.
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On Tuesday, USA Today MLB Insider Bob Nightengale tweeted that a Red Sox player told him Story was “quite aware” that he would need elbow surgery, but was hoping he could avoid it with rest. Story recently underwent an internal bracing procedure on the ulner collateral ligament in his right below. Players who have undergone this procedure - including outfielder Brandon Guyer and pitcher Rich Hill - have typically experienced a timeline of 3-6 months before returning to action, says WEEI’s Rob Bradford.
It is an operation that has become popular in recent years for players who are trying to avoid the extremes of Tommy John surgery.
Though there were concerns about Story’s elbow when the Red Sox signed him to a six-year, $120 million deal, it never caused him to miss time last season. Story suffered a hand injury in July, which led him to only play 94 games in 2022.
Nightengale’s report makes it seem as if the Red Sox and Story misjudged the severity of his elbow injury, and the apparent miscalculation could cost Story most of his upcoming season.
But Hernández squashed Nightengale’s reporting with a simple emoji.
Its meaning goes without saying.
On Tuesday, Chaim Bloom told reporters that Story’s elbow injury didn’t necessitate surgery until well after the season ended.
But it’s apparent Story was dealing with discomfort for some time. He admitted on the Bradfo Sho podcast that he was suffering from elbow discomfort back in May.
“I did a lot of work in the offseason. Really just readjusted my routine, get locked on that. That has helped a lot. .. There is a lot that goes into it,” he said. “Can’t just say it’s one thing. Really just reworked my routine. Yeah, man, I feel really good about it now. Last year was a tough year.”
It looks like 2023 might be as well.