Trevor Story won’t join Red Sox on Friday; return this weekend unlikely, too

SEATTLE — Trevor Story’s return to the Red Sox will not happen Friday.

Story had previously identified Friday as a target date for his return from the injured list but will not be back that soon, manager Alex Cora said after Boston’s 6-3 loss to the Mariners on Wednesday. Instead, Story will take Thursday off, then play again Friday for Triple-A Worcester in Syracuse. It’s unlikely, though not impossible, that Story will be with the Red Sox during their weekend series against the Blue Jays. Though the team is taking things day-by-day for now, it’s more likely Story returns early next week during Boston’s four-game series against the Royals, which begins Monday. That would allow him to continue rehabbing through the weekend with the WooSox in Syracuse.

Story has not suffered any setbacks in his recovery from offseason elbow surgery. Instead, the delay is a case of the team making sure Story isn’t being rushed back. Story is a player who has historically demonstrated a desire to be 100% before coming off the injured list, according to industry sources, and may not be at that stage yet. The shortstop went 1-for-5 with an RBI double and three strikeouts for the WooSox on Wednesday while playing seven innings at shortstop; in total he has hit .241 with three homers, two doubles, seven RBIs and a .992 OPS in 10 rehab games between Double-A and Triple-A.

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“He’s still in spring training mode,” Cora said Monday. “I know he threw it out there to you guys that (Friday) is his goal. We’ll see how it goes. It’s not in black and white that he’ll be with us this weekend. But it’s getting closer.”

Story has missed the entire season to this point after undergoing an internal bracing procedure (a Tommy John surgery alternative) on his throwing elbow in mid-January. When he returns, he will serve as Boston’s starting shortstop, displacing Yu Chang.