Story not in starting lineup Thursday

Story knocked a base hit and scored a run in the sixth inning, then singled and scored again in the seventh. He later added a third late hit with a base knock in the ninth for his first three-hit game of the season. The 33-year-old shortstop is hitting .237/.269/.342 with three homers, 19 runs scored, 23 RBI, and four steals across 201 plate appearances.

Story’s big double to bring the Red Sox within one run in the eighth was probably an out in 29 parks, but it made it off the Green Monster in Fenway. The game-ending single with the bases loaded was a product of better contact, traveling to the gap at 105.2 mph, and would have been a double normally. Story was largely unimpressive on his rehab assignment, but he’s managed two doubles and two singles in two games since returning.

The Red Sox’ lineup is getting serious reinforcements on Sunday with Story and Roman Anthony both returning from lengthy stints on the injured list. Story has been sidelined since undergoing surgery to repair a sports hernia in late May. Before he landed on the injured list, the 33-year-old shortstop was hitting .206/.244/.303 with three homers, 19 RBI and four stolen bases in 176 plate appearances.

Both players were pulled early from their final minor league rehab game at Triple-A Worcester on Saturday and are on their way to join up with the Red Sox. Anthony, 22, hasn’t played in an MLB game since May 4. He and Story should provide a major boost to the Red Sox’ offense in the month of September.

There was some social media chatter late Friday that Anthony and Trevor Story (abdomen) would potentially return for Saturday’s doubleheader against the Yankees. That isn’t happening. There’s a chance that the pair return for Sunday’s series finale in New York based on comments from interim manager Chad Tracy on Friday, but that decision won’t be made until after Saturday’s twin bill. There’s understandably plenty of excitement to see Anthony back in Boston’s lineup, but they obviously want to make sure he’s 100 percent ready before bringing him back, especially since he hasn’t played in the big leagues since May 4.

Both are slated to play in games for Triple-A Worcester on Saturday, so they won’t be back for Boston’s doubleheader against the Yankees. Anthony is 4-for-12 with a homer in three games for Worcester after going 3-for-14 with a homer in four games for Double-A Portland.

Some of the swings and misses we saw from Story last night were on pitches that were nowhere near the strike zone. Story claims that he hopes to return at some point this weekend against the Yankees, but he’s 4-for-28 in eight rehab games and has a 10/1 K/BB ratio over that span. The Red Sox could use his defense at shortstop with Andruw Monasterio struggling, but Story’s bat doesn’t seem ready.

Story has hit .160 (4-for-25) in seven rehab games since mid-August. There’s a decent chance he’s back as Boston’s shortstop at some point in the coming days. He would be an upgrade from a defensive standpoint, but it doesn’t seem like he’s going to offer much at the plate down the home stretch.

Story has gone 3-for-13 with zero extra-base hits and four strikeouts across four rehab contests over the last week. The 33-year-old shortstop is eager to make it back to Boston, but they’ve gotten better than expected production from journeyman Andruw Monasterio at the position during their remarkable turnaround. It sounds like there’s a chance he’s back with the Red Sox at some point in the coming days, but he can be safely ignored in most fantasy leagues.

Story added that he’s feels fine from a physical standpoint after kicking off a minor league rehab assignment over the weekend. The 33-year-old veteran shortstop has missed the entirety of Boston’s remarkable midseason turnaround while recovering from sports hernia surgery. It sounds like he could return later this week after getting a few additional rehab games under his belt. Andruw Monasterio has done a remarkable job handling shortstop for the Red Sox over the last few weeks.