Injury Bug Takes Big Bites From Boston Red Sox, Chicago White Sox

Even with spring training more than a month away, the Sox are unraveling.

Within the last week, both the Boston Red Sox and Chicago White Sox suffered devastating injury news virtually certain to short-circuit their dreams of division titles in 2023.

The Red Sox lost power-hitting infielder Trevor Story – possibly for the season – after he submitted to internal brace surgery on his right (throwing) elbow, while White Sox closer Liam Hendricks began treatment for non-Hodgkins lymphoma. His return is also uncertain.

The Story story further weakens a Boston infield that lost shortstop Xander Bogaerts to free agency, endured protracted contract negotiations with third baseman Rafael Devers before reaching an extension, and added only 38-year-old Justin Turner, ostensibly to compete with Bobby Dalbec and Triston Casas at first.

Story, who played shortstop for the Colorado Rockies but shifted to second after signing a six-year, $140 million Red Sox contract prior to the 2022 campaign, spent his first year in Boston at second base, where the shorter throws were less stressful on his tender elbow. But he was practicing for a return to short – as successor to Bogaerts – when his elbow started barking.

His surgery, performed by Dr. Keith Meister at the Texas Metroplex Institute in Arlington, is considered a newer, less-invasive version the Tommy John surgery used on pitchers. That procedure usually has a recovery timeline of 12-18 months – more than twice the time usually needed for Story’s: the internal bracing procedure of the right ulnar collateral ligament.

Speaking to reporters afterward, Red Sox president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom declined to pinpoint a possible return window but did concede a 2023 comeback was possible.

According to the Boston Globe’s Alex Speier, Bloom said, “It’s not something at this stage we want to bank on.”

Story, who hit 16 homers in 94 games after a dreadful start last season, still seems to have a key role with the Sox. His right-handed swing is tailored for The Green Monster, the close-to-home wall that towers over left field in Fenway Park.

The 30-year-old Story has twice hit at least 35 home runs in a season and could approach that figure again with a sound elbow.

A two-time All-Star, his contract keeps him in Boston through the 2027 campaign, with the team able to override his potential opt-out after 2025 by adding another year, thereby extending him through the 2028 campaign.

Manager Alex Cora will be the man charged with filling the enormous gap in his middle infield. With Devers certain to anchor third, Turner could wind up at any of the other three spots. In his 14-year career, spent mostly with the Los Angeles Dodgers, the red-bearded veteran has played 39 games at first base, 133 at second, 46 at shortstop, and 963 at third.

Another former Dodger, Kike Hernandez, played second, short, and center-field for Boston last season but is penciled in to play center again – unless Cora comes up with an adequate replacement.

Bloom could also sign one of the few remaining free-agent shortstops, from four-time Gold Glover Andrelton Simmons to Elvis Andrus, who has a much better bat.

The Red Sox have finished last twice in the last three years and were hoping to advance in the highly-competitive American League East.

In addition to Turner, they signed free agents Kenley Jansen, Chris Martin, and Masataka Yoshida, a contact-hitting outfielder who won two batting crowns in Japan.

Far from its world championship form of 2018, Boston went 78-84 last season, making it the least of the East, 21 games from the front-running New York Yankees.

By contrast, the Chicago White Sox were dead-even at 81-81, second to Cleveland in the American League Central but 11 games behind. Like the Sox of a different color, they did not qualify for the post-season.

Chicago’s lackluster performance was hardly the fault of Hendricks, who converted 37 of 41 save opportunities, posted a 2.81 earned run average, and fanned 85 men in 57 2/3 innings. The 6-foot, 235-pound right-hander has been an American League All-Star three times.

Instead of reporting to spring training in Glendale, AZ next month, when he turns 34, however, Hendricks will work toward a full recovery.

In a statement released to the media by the team, White Sox general manager Rick Hahn said, “Knowing everyone involved, especially Liam, we are optimistic he will pitch again for the White Sox as soon as viable. In the meantime, we all will do everything in our power to support our teammate and his family as they face this challenge, while also respecting their privacy. We do not expect to have any updates on Liam’s playing status prior to Opening Day at the very earliest.

“Our thoughts and reactions at this time are for Liam the person, not Liam the baseball player. I know the entire Chicago White Sox organization, our staff, his teammates, and certainly White Sox fans, will rally in support of Liam and Kristi during the coming months.”

Hendriks would have started the last season of a three-year, $54 million White Sox pact that also carries a $15 million club option for 2024 and matching $15 million buyout. If the team declines the option, Hendricks would receive the buyout in deferred payments.

Hendriks broke into the big leagues with the 2011 Minnesota Twins, where he worked as a set-up man, but became a closer with Oakland eight years later. The control artist from Perth, Australia has been an All-Star three times.

Replacing Hendriks, who was popular in the clubhouse and respected for his performance, won’t be easy for rookie White Sox manager Pedro Grifol, Tony La Russa’s successor.

The top candidate already on the roster is Kendall Graveman, who had been closing for Seattle when traded to Chicago in 2021. Graveman, a 32-year-old right-hander, led the American League with 27 holds last season, working as a set-up man for Hendriks.