ATLANTA -- While Trevor Story evaluates his recovery options following a sports hernia diagnosis that has landed him on the 10-day injured list indefinitely, the Red Sox are at least contemplating the possibility of moving Marcelo Mayer to his natural position of shortstop.
The Sox thought highly enough of Mayer as a shortstop to take him fourth overall in the 2021 Draft. However, Story’s presence on the club led to Mayer splitting time between third and second base upon his callup last year, while serving as the team’s primary second baseman against right-handed pitchers this season.
The decision will largely hinge on how long Story will be out. If he elects to have surgery, the chance of Mayer moving back to shortstop seems far more likely than if it’s a shorter-term absence, interim manager Chad Tracy has said the past two days. Story had mentioned that players who have surgery for a sports hernia are usually out of action for six to 10 weeks.
“Oh, just very preliminary, just talking to Cello based on his comfort level and things like that,” said Tracy. “Also talked with him about making sure we see what's going on with Trevor before we do anything really quick and have to reverse it. Most of that was just conversations, he and I, on where he's at, and obviously [he's] very comfortable at shortstop. But there's more to it than that. It's not just a black and white scenario.”
Mayer is good with whatever.
“Wherever Trace wants me to play, that's where I'm going to go out there and give it all for the team. Obviously, that's home to me. That's where I've played my whole life,” Mayer said of shortstop. “And we've had some discussions, getting some work there in practice whenever I can. But like I said, wherever Trace needs me to play, that’s where it’s going to be. Whether it’s short, whether it’s second, I'm just here to help the team.”
Mayer has played a total of three innings at shortstop in his Major League career as a substitute, coming in his first two big league games on May 24 and 25 of last season.
So, as proficient as Mayer is at that position, it’s been nearly a year since he’s played there. In a sense, though, it would probably be like riding a bike for Mayer once he got enough practice reps.
“Yeah, we've had brief discussions about it,” Mayer said. “Get reps there and practice and see how it feels. He wouldn't want to just throw me in there after not taking reps since the offseason. But, like I said, wherever they need me to play, I’ll play.
“There's a sense of comfort there, obviously, as well as second. I've been playing there for months, so wherever it is they need me to play, I’ll get acclimated and just go out there and play hard.”
Tracy had the chance to watch Mayer play shortstop when he managed him with Triple-A Worcester last season.
“You guys saw him at third last year,” said Tracy. “He’s just a graceful infielder, and you see it. My biggest observation when I watch him play infield -- he’s got a very good internal clock. He knows how to approach a ball, he never looks like he's in a hurry, and all those things stand out. He's a good athlete, I think he's capable of doing anything, but again, in that situation, there's gray areas involved there. We’ve got to make sure we do it right.”
Andruw Monasterio, who has done a strong job as a utility infielder in his first season with the Red Sox, got his third straight start at short for Sunday’s finale in Atlanta.
Nick Sogard, called up Saturday to replace Story on the roster, is another option. And so, too, is veteran Isiah Kiner-Falefa, who plays here, there and everywhere.
But the most intriguing move would be to put Mayer back at his natural position.
Story is flying home to Boston on Monday to take a deeper dive into his medical opinions, so the Sox should have clarity in the coming days.