Marcelo Mayer plays off shortstop for the first time in his professional career
Red Sox top prospect Marcelo Mayer played a position other than shortstop on Friday night. Mayer was penciled in at third base to allow Trevor Story to begin his rehab at shortstop.
All of Mayer’s 165 minor league starts have come at shortstop. He’s also started seven games at DH.
The Sea Dogs had Mayer workout at third base this week in preparation for Friday night’s game. There is a strong chance he will play third again on Sunday when Story returns to the field.
“It feels good,” Mayer said playing third to MassLive’s Christopher Smith. “A little different of an angle but I don’t mind it.”
The 20-year-old shortstop is excited to get to play alongside the rehabbing All-Star.
“It’s going to be awesome,” Mayer said. “He’s here for three days so I’m going to do whatever I can to pick his brain. I think I was in middle school when he was hitting bombs at Coors Field. Just the amount of games he’s played more than me, the amount of experience he has that I don’t, I’m looking forward to just seeing how he works, talking to him, soaking it all in and seeing how he handles his business.”
Story had a successful first game back as he rehabs from internal brace surgery on his right elbow.
He went 1-for-2 with a homer, walk, two runs and three RBI. His three-run blast gave the Sea Dogs a 6-1 lead in the fifth inning.
“It felt great, man. It was kind of surreal playing in a real game,” Story said. “It’s been a long time coming. I feel like we’ve put in a lot of work to get to this point. Still not done but definitely a big step in the right direction. I felt like a kid out there again competing and I’ve been looking forward to that for a long time.”
Follow Chris on Twitter @ChrisHenrique
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