WooSox: Vaughn Grissom scratched prior to Wednesday night’s game, Priester hurls gem, Story rehab continues
The WooSox made a quick change to their lineup ahead of their game with the Rochester Red Wings on Wednesday night.
Vaughn Grissom was penciled in as the second baseman and fifth in the lineup. Before the first pitch, skipper Chad Tracy scratched Grissom from the lineup.
The infielder is dealing with lower body soreness and is considered day-to-day, according to a source. The Red Sox aren’t concerned over this latest issue for Grissom.
The 23-year-old has spent the majority of the season either on the injured list or with the Worcester Red Sox. Grissom appeared in just 23 games for Boston, hitting a mere .148 (12-for-81) with no home runs and three RBIs.
The former Braves prospect was optioned to the WooSox following his second IL-stint when, on June 2, he strained his right hamstring, running out a grounder to first base. He also saw time on the IL from March 25 until May 2 dealing with a left hamstring strain.
“It’s just one of those years,” Grissom said a month ago while at Polar Park. “I feel like everyone kind of has one; I’ve been saying that, too. But I feel like everybody has to go through a little something, and this is my turn.”
While with the WooSox, Grissom has batted .238/.343/.340/.683 with four homers, three doubles, 25 RBI, 15 runs, 36 strikeouts, 20 walks, and eight stolen bases (41 games).
Grissom was acquired this offseason from the Braves for left-hander starter Chris Sale. Boston had expected him to be their everyday second baseman, but injuries ended up being his 2024 story.
Quinn Priester hurls gem in WooSox’ 7-0 win
WooSox starter Quinn Priester threw a gem on Wednesday night, tossing six scoreless innings, allowing four hits and no walks, and striking out eight batters.
Priester retired the side three times in order in an efficient outing where the 23-year-old threw 47 of his 69 pitches for strikes.
The new Red Sox minor league pitcher who was acquired before the trade deadline for infield/outfield prospect Nick Yorke has been getting acclimated to Boston’s pitching philosophies while also building size to his frame and adding more velocity to his pitches.
“I think the biggest thing for us is getting to know the kid, understand what he feels like he does well, what he feels like he needs to improve on, and then having us have those conversations with him about where we feel like he can push forward in particular areas,” said Red Sox director of player development Rob Bradford on the Baseball Isn’t Boring Podcast.
Trevor Story rehab continues with WooSox
Trevor Story continued his rehab assignment with Worcester on Wednesday night, batting third and playing shortstop. The veteran went hitless in four at-bats while playing seven innings.
Story has had 11 at-bats with the WooSox and is hitting .182 with a run scored and a .455 OPS. The plan is for the 31-year-old to play back-to-back games (Wednesday and Thursday) at shortstop.
“Friday off, and then we’ll see where we’re at Saturday,” manager Alex Cora said Tuesday while in New York.
Cora told reporters that Story doesn’t necessarily need to play a complete nine-inning game at shortstop before he is activated off the injured list.
“I think physically he’s in a good spot,” Cora said. “This is a lot different than last year—then it was the surgery and throwing and hitting and all that. This was a freak accident, and he’s healed. He’s healthy. So I think, as far as like the stamina and physically, he’s in a good spot.”
