Story’s comeback won’t go sideways

DENVER — Trevor Story is going over the top to get back on the field, altering his throwing motion to take some of the stress off his sore right elbow.

The Rockies’ All-Star shortstop returned to the lineup Monday night after missing a week with the ailment. Story batted fifth as the playoff-chasing Rockies opened a four-game series against the Phillies.

“It’s tough just sitting and watching,” Story said. “The timing of it was pretty brutal. Just really tried to keep my focus on the treatment and getting better.”

Story tweaked his elbow on a throw in the first inning Sept. 17 in Los Angeles and aggravated it on a swing in the fourth.

“It’s gotten better every single day, and I’m ready to play,” Story said.

Story has been practicing throwing from a more straightaway angle, which cuts down on elbow stress. He also worked on spin moves Sunday in Arizona and said “it felt good,” he said. “There are little things I can do to take pressure off.”

At the plate, the elbow doesn’t really bother him.

“But you can’t say so until the game,” he quickly added.

The 25-year-old Story is in the midst of a breakout season, hitting .288 with 33 homers and 102 RBIs. He recently became the first shortstop in major-league history with at least 40 doubles, 30 home runs and 25 steals in a season.

His return couldn’t come at a more opportune time. The Rockies started Monday trailing the NL West-leading Dodgers by 1 ⁄ games.

“He’s one of our best players. He plays a premium position and hits in the middle of the order. So it’s quite a presence we didn’t have for a week of games,” manager Bud Black said.