Trevor Story’s spring continues to be plagued by setbacks.
The Red Sox second baseman was a late scratch from Friday night’s Grapefruit League game against the Pirates due to lower-back tightness, according to WEEI’s Rob Bradford. It’s the latest in a series of physical issues for the veteran infielder, who has struggled to stay healthy since joining Boston.
This is the second time this month Story’s back problems have forced him out of the lineup — an unsettling trend as the Red Sox gear up for the season. His first bout of back tightness sidelined him for nearly a week, and while it remains unclear how long this latest issue will last, further updates are expected later Friday.
Since signing a six-year, $140 million deal with Boston before the 2022 season, injuries have overshadowed Story’s tenure. Brought in as a marquee free agent to bolster the infield and add power to the lineup after Xander Bogaerts’ departure, his time with the Red Sox has instead been marked by repeated health setbacks. It’s fair to wonder whether the team will ever see a full return on its investment.
From elbow surgery to a fractured wrist and now ongoing back troubles, Story has barely logged a full season’s worth of games. Even when he’s been on the field, brief flashes of power and defensive skill have often been overshadowed by rust and inconsistency.
Durability is now an unavoidable concern. The Red Sox once envisioned Story as a cornerstone of their next contending roster, but they’re now left hoping he can stay healthy long enough to find his rhythm. With Marcelo Mayer impressing this spring and fans growing increasingly restless, 2025 feels like a pivotal season for both Story and the team’s confidence in his future.
For now, Red Sox fans can only hope this latest setback is a minor bump in the road — not a sign of bigger issues ahead.