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Monasterio Locks Down Shortstop: Red Sox Find Their Anchor
Boston Red Sox Player Updates: What’s Happening with Story, Arias, Casas, and More
Quick Note: This update covers news from early August 2026. The Red Sox are juggling injuries, young talent, and playoff hopes — here’s the simple breakdown.
Trevor Story: Working His Way Back
Trevor Story, the Red Sox shortstop, had surgery in late May for a sports hernia (a tear in the lower abdomen/groin area common in athletes).
- Good news: He’s getting "closer" to playing in minor league rehab games.
- Progress: He’s now doing "very quick lateral movement stuff" — side-to-side motions that used to hurt.
- Timeline: Might return by the end of the month.
- Big question: Will he be the star from last summer, or still recovering?
Important: The team hasn’t decided where he’ll play when he returns. Could be shortstop, could be second base. They’re keeping options open.
Franklin Arias: The 20-Year-Old Phenom
Franklin Arias is a top prospect (a highly rated young player in the minors) who’s tearing it up at Triple-A Worcester (the highest minor league level, one step below the majors).
His Stats in 10 Games:
- Batting average: .326 (gets a hit ~1/3 of the time)
- On-base percentage: .400 (reaches base 40% of plate appearances)
- Slugging: .581 (hits for power)
- 3 home runs, 12 RBIs (runs batted in)
What Makes Him Special:
- Versatility: Played 3 games at second base — the team wants him to learn multiple positions.
- Mental game: Interim manager Chad Tracy says he has the "character and mental capacity to overcome things when they aren’t going right."
- Physical tools: "You can watch Franklin and feel like this guy’s going to play in the big leagues."
Could He Debut This Year?
- Craig Breslow (Chief Baseball Officer) didn’t rule it out.
- But Breslow also said: "I hate to put those types of expectations on a 20-year-old."
- Bottom line: Every challenge he’s faced, he’s passed. That’s rare for his age.
Triston Casas: Another Surgery, Another Setback
First baseman Triston Casas had arthroscopic surgery on his left wrist — a minimally invasive "scope" procedure to clean up a lingering issue.
The Injury History (Last 15 Months):
- Major knee injury
- Abdominal issue
- Now: Wrist surgery
Why Now?
- It was an on-and-off problem that didn’t improve with rest/therapy ("conservative treatment").
- Casas and the team decided: Fix it properly.
- Status: Unknown if he’s out for the rest of the season.
Willson Contreras: Sick, Not Concussed
First baseman Willson Contreras missed a game because he was "still feeling sick."
What We Know:
- Symptoms: Low-grade fever, dizziness — similar to when he left a game early earlier in the week.
- Not concussion-related: Team says it’s not connected to getting hit in the head by a pitch last Friday.
- Plan: Rest and recover.
Garrett Crochet: Could He Pitch in the Playoffs?
Left-handed pitcher Garrett Crochet (acquired in a trade) has started a throwing program after being injured.
The Exciting Possibility:
- If he’s healthy and looks like himself, the team "would be foolish not to consider" bringing him back as a reliever (bullpen pitcher) for the playoffs.
- Catch: He’s in the "infant stages" of throwing. Building up to start games (6 innings) by September is "probably not feasible."
- Reliever role? Much faster ramp-up — one inning at a time.
Other Quick Updates
- Rotation shuffle: After Payton Tolle starts Friday and Jake Bennett Saturday, the Sox might use a "bullpen game" Sunday (multiple relievers instead of one starter) to give starters extra rest.
- Infield depth: With Story out, Mona (Ceddanne Rafaela) has taken over shortstop, and Trevor Story’s backup has played well there too.
Summary: The Big Picture
| Player | Status | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|---|
| Trevor Story | Rehabbing, close to minor league games | Return by month’s end; position TBD |
| Franklin Arias | Dominating Triple-A, learning 2B | 20-year-old star candidate; call-up possible |
| Triston Casas | Wrist surgery, 3rd major injury in 15 mo | Season status unknown |
| Willson Contreras | Ill (fever/dizziness), not concussion | Day-to-day |
| Garrett Crochet | Early throwing program | Playoff reliever role possible |
The Red Sox are:
Developing young talent (Arias)
Managing a mountain of injuries (Story, Casas, Crochet, Contreras)
Keeping playoff flexibility open (Crochet as reliever, infield versatility)
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
1. What is "Triple-A" and why does it matter?
Triple-A (AAA) is the highest level of minor league baseball — one step below the majors. Players here are either ready for the big leagues or refining skills. Arias dominating here = he’s knocking on the door.
2. What’s a "sports hernia"? Is it a real hernia?
Not exactly. It’s a tear in the soft tissue (muscles/tendons) of the lower abdomen/groin. Common in sports with sudden twisting (baseball, hockey). Surgery repairs it. Recovery takes months.
3. What does "slashed .326/.400/.581" mean?
It’s shorthand for three key stats:
- .326 = Batting Average (hits ÷ at-bats)
- .400 = On-Base Percentage (how often he reaches base)
- .581 = Slugging Percentage (power: total bases ÷ at-bats)
All three are excellent.
4. What’s a "bullpen game"?
Instead of one starter pitching 5–6 innings, the team uses 4–5 relievers for 1–2 innings each. It’s a strategy to rest starters or cover when no starter is available.
5. Why would Crochet be a reliever, not a starter, in the playoffs?
Starters need months to build arm strength for 90+ pitches. Relievers throw 15–25 pitches every few days — much faster to ramp up. If Crochet can’t start by October, a dominant relief role is Plan B.
Article based on reporting by Tim Healey, The Boston Globe.
