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Red Sox infielder Story has elbow surgery, timetable for return unclear

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Boston Red Sox middle infielder Trevor Story underwent an internal bracing procedure on the ulnar collateral ligament of his right elbow, the team announced Tuesday.

Red Sox chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom was unable to give a firm timetable for Story's return. Players typically miss four-to-six months after the surgery, reports ESPN's Jeff Passan.

"I certainly would not rule out a return something during 2023, but it's also not something, at this stage, that we want to bank on. It will take how long it takes," Bloom told reporters Tuesday, per MassLive's Chris Cotillo. "We want to make sure he's 100%. Certainly, with this being an internal brace procedure and not a Tommy John (surgery), it does leave the door open for a return this season."

Bloom said Story first began experiencing elbow issues last month.

"While ramping up throwing, Trevor experienced pain in his elbow. This was just before Christmas. ... It was not something we contemplated at the end of the season," Bloom said, according to Alex Speier of the Boston Globe.

Story, 30, was preparing to inherit shortstop from the recently departed Xander Bogaerts, who signed an 11-year, $280-million deal with the San Diego Padres earlier this winter. He moved to second base after joining Boston last March, the first time he'd played anywhere besides shortstop as a professional.

The two-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger missed the final couple of weeks last season after suffering a heel contusion. In his first season with the Red Sox since signing a six-year, $140-million contract, Story hit .238/.303/.434 with 16 homers and 13 stolen bases over 94 games at second base.

He also missed time due to a right hand contusion.

The most likely internal candidates to start Opening Day at shortstop for the Red Sox are currently Enrique Hernandez and Christian Arroyo. The Red Sox are also hoping to add more middle-infield depth before spring training, something Bloom said he was looking at even before Story's injury, according to Dan Roche of WBZ.

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