Overview
- Tracy confirmed Friday that Mayer is expected to start at shortstop as soon as Sunday, reversing the infield shuffle that followed Story’s injury.
- Friday’s lineup used Nick Sogard at shortstop and Mayer at second base against a left-handed starter in a matchup-driven move.
- Trevor Story underwent sports-hernia surgery and was given a basic prognosis of about six to ten weeks on the injured list, creating the need for a longer-term shortstop solution.
- Mayer was Boston’s 2021 fourth-overall pick and has played shortstop throughout his amateur and minor-league career, which underlies the club’s plan to install him at the position.
- The shift balances development and matchups: Tracy will keep options like Andruw Monasterio and Isiah Kiner-Falefa available as stopgaps while Mayer’s work at shortstop and his limited track record versus lefties are evaluated.