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Monasterio Locks Down Red Sox Shortstop Job
Red Sox Updates: Young Stars Rising, Veterans Healing
The Boston Red Sox have a lot going on right now! Some players are getting better from injuries, a super-young prospect is tearing it up in the minors, and the team is making plans for the rest of the season. Let’s break it all down in simple terms.
Trevor Story’s Comeback Trail
Trevor Story is the Red Sox shortstop (that’s the player between second and third base). He had surgery in late May for a sports hernia — think of it like a tear in the muscles in your lower belly/groin area that happens from twisting and turning hard.
Good News: He’s Getting Closer!
- Story is now doing "very quick lateral movement stuff" — that means side-to-side movements, which are super important for a shortstop
- Earlier in his rehab, these movements caused soreness, but that’s improving
- He might play in minor league games by the end of the month
- This gives the team time to figure out: Is he the star player from last summer, or still recovering?
Important Point: The team hasn’t even decided yet where he’ll play when he returns! He could play shortstop, or maybe second base. They’re keeping all options open.
Franklin Arias: The 20-Year-Old Phenom
Meet Franklin Arias — he’s only 20 years old (that’s really young for pro baseball!) and he’s putting up video-game numbers.
His Triple-A Stats (10 Games with Worcester)
| Stat | What It Means | His Number |
|---|---|---|
| Batting Average | How often he gets a hit | .326 (amazing!) |
| On-Base Percentage | How often he reaches base | .400 |
| Slugging Percentage | How much power he shows | .581 |
| Home Runs | Big hits over the fence | 3 |
| RBIs | Runs he helped score | 12 |
Why Everyone’s Excited
- Physical Tools: Interim manager Chad Tracy says "you can watch Franklin and feel like this guy’s going to play in the big leagues"
- Mental Game: Tracy loves his "character and mental capacity and ability to overcome things when they aren’t going right"
- Versatility: He’s played 3 games at second base (he’s normally a shortstop) — the team wants him to learn multiple positions
- Fast Track: Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow didn’t rule out Arias reaching the majors THIS SEASON
Important Point: Breslow was careful not to put too much pressure on him: "I hate to put those types of expectations on a 20-year-old… but every challenge he has faced, he’s met."
Injury Updates: Casas and Contreras
Triston Casas (First Baseman) — Wrist Surgery
- Had arthroscopic surgery on his left wrist (tiny camera + tools through small cuts)
- This was a lingering, on-and-off problem that conservative treatment (rest, therapy) couldn’t fix
- Bad luck streak: Over 15 months, he’s had major knee, abdominal, and now wrist issues
- Unknown: Team doesn’t know yet if he’s out for the season
Willson Contreras (First Baseman) — Sick, Not Concussed
- Missed Thursday’s game — "still feeling sick" with low-grade fever and dizziness
- Good news: Team believes it’s NOT related to getting hit in the head by a pitch last Friday
- Symptoms started getting worse Wednesday night, so they’re resting him
Garrett Crochet’s Potential Playoff Role
Garrett Crochet (a starting pitcher) has begun a throwing program after being injured.
The New Possibility: Playoff Reliever
- If he’s healthy and looks like his old self, the team would be "foolish not to consider" using him as a reliever (pitcher who comes in for short bursts) for the playoffs
- Why not starter? Stretching him out to 6 innings by late September is "probably not feasible" — he’s in the "infant stages" of throwing
- Reliever role = fewer innings, less stress, could still help in big games
Upcoming Pitching Plans
The team has a plan for the next few games against the Athletics:
- Friday: Payton Tolle starts
- Saturday: Jake Bennett starts
- Sunday: Possible "bullpen game" — multiple relievers pitch 1-2 innings each instead of one starter
- Why? Gives the regular starters an extra day of rest
Summary
| Topic | Status | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|---|
| Trevor Story | Rehabbing, close to minor league games | Could return by month’s end; position flexible |
| Franklin Arias | Dominating Triple-A at age 20 | Possible call-up this year; great tools + mindset |
| Triston Casas | Had wrist surgery | Another injury in tough 15 months; return TBD |
| Willson Contreras | Sick (fever, dizziness) | Not concussion-related; day-to-day |
| Garrett Crochet | Early throwing program | Might pitch in playoffs as reliever, not starter |
| Weekend Rotation | Tolle → Bennett → Bullpen game | Extra rest for starters |
FAQ
Q: What’s a sports hernia, and why does it take so long to heal?
A: Despite the name, it’s not a true hernia (where an organ pushes through muscle). It’s a tear in the soft tissue of the lower abdomen/groin. Baseball players twist violently when swinging and throwing, so that area takes a beating. Surgery repairs it, but the core needs to rebuild strength slowly.
Q: Why is Franklin Arias playing second base if he’s a shortstop?
A: Versatility = value! If he can play multiple positions, the team has more ways to get his bat in the lineup. Plus, the Red Sox already have shortstops (like Trevor Story and others), so learning second base gives him a clearer path to the majors.
Q: What’s a "bullpen game" and why do teams do it?
A: Instead of one starter pitching 5-6 innings, the team uses 4-5 relievers for 1-2 innings each. It gives regular starters extra rest (important late in the season) and can confuse opposing hitters who face different pitching styles every couple innings.
Q: What’s the difference between a starter and a reliever?
A: Starters begin the game, pitch 5-7 innings, and throw 90-100+ pitches. They need 4-5 days rest between starts. Relievers pitch 1-2 innings max, throw 20-35 pitches, and can pitch 2-3 days in a row. Crochet moving to reliever means less strain on his healing arm.
Q: Why is Craig Breslow being careful about expectations for Arias?
A: Baseball is full of "can’t miss" prospects who… miss. The jump from Triple-A to the majors is huge — pitchers are faster, smarter, and more consistent. Putting "franchise savior" pressure on a 20-year-old can backfire. Breslow wants Arias to develop at his own pace.
Article based on reporting by Tim Healey (timothy.healey@globe.com, @timbhealey)
