Story taking grounders; Yoshida shining in WBC
When Trevor Story took the stage at Winter Weekend in late January, the high-tech metal contraption encasing his arm was a brutal reminder of a development that would seriously impact the 2023 Red Sox.
Story had undergone an internal brace procedure less than two weeks before. The surgery, a way to repair his right elbow’s ulnar collateral ligament (UCL), has a significantly shorter recovery than Tommy John surgery. Whereas the latter sidelines players for 12-18 months, the former could have Story ready to go in four to six months.
Less than two months after Winter Weekend, the veteran infielder began taking grounders at spring training.
“Trevor, he started taking grounders yesterday. He’s doing it again today with (Adalberto Mondesi),” Alex Cora told Mlb.com’s Ian Browne on Friday. “That’s good. It gives you hope. If he’s not thinking about this year, then why take groundballs so soon?”
More injury updates: The Red Sox are “shooting” for Justin
Turner being ready for Opening Day, Cora told Browne.
Turner was hit in the head by a pitch earlier this week, requiring over a dozen stitches. He’s already back in camp, but unable to play until the pitches are removed, which should be in two weeks.
Defeated: The Red Sox were the last remaining undefeated team in spring training – and were on their longest spring training unbeaten streak against Major League opponents in franchise history – but the streak came to an end on Friday when the Blue Jays shut them out 2-0.
Every other team in their division has at least five losses, though.
WBC notes: Masataka Yoshida, who likes to be called “Masa,” went 3-for-3 with five RBI for Team Japan in their 13-4 victory over Team Korea on Friday. Team Japan is now 2-0. Yu Chang, whom the Red Sox re-signed earlier in spring training, hit a two-out game-tying two-run homer for Chinese Taipei in the sixth inning. His team ultimately emerged victorious, beating Team Italy 11-7 for their first win of the tournament.