The Boston Red Sox are preparing for a significant infield adjustment after veteran shortstop Trevor Story underwent sports hernia surgery, an injury expected to sideline him for several months. With Story unavailable, the organization is now shifting top prospect Marcelo Mayer back to his natural position at shortstop, a role he was originally projected to fill long-term when drafted fourth overall in 2021.
Mayer’s development path has been shaped heavily by Story’s presence on the roster. Since reaching the Major Leagues, Mayer has been used primarily at third base and second base, with this season spent exclusively at second. However, the current injury situation has accelerated a long-anticipated transition back to shortstop, where the Red Sox believe his defensive future lies.
Red Sox Accelerate Marcelo Mayer Shift To Shortstop With Flexible Infield Plan
The team began preparing Mayer for the switch during a recent series in Kansas City, where he took early infield reps at shortstop. That work is continuing with increased focus, and interim manager Chad Tracy indicated there is a real possibility Mayer could start at shortstop as early as Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Twins. While the plan is still being refined, Tracy made clear that Mayer will see more time at the position moving forward.
“We started proactively getting Marcelo some work there this past week,” Tracy explained, adding that while additional preparation is still needed, the team expects him to play shortstop more regularly. However, Tracy noted that Mayer will not necessarily be locked into the position every day, suggesting some flexibility depending on matchups and roster needs.
Mayer himself expressed confidence in returning to shortstop, emphasizing that it remains his natural position despite limited recent game action there. He acknowledged that it has been several months since he last played shortstop regularly, which may affect his in-game reads and reactions. Still, he stressed comfort with the fundamentals, saying his ability to field ground balls and make throws has always been a strength.
“That’s home to me,” Mayer said, referring to shortstop. “That’s where I’ve played my whole life.”
With Mayer shifting back to shortstop, the Red Sox are expected to rotate several utility infielders at second base, including Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Andruw Monasterio, and Nick Sogard. This rotation approach gives the team flexibility while allowing Mayer to settle into a more stable defensive role.
Tracy, who previously managed Mayer during his Triple-A Worcester stint in 2025, expressed confidence that the transition will be smooth. He explained that the biggest adjustment will be handling different defensive angles and timing compared to second base, where players typically have more time to make plays due to shorter throwing distances. At shortstop, he noted, fielders must adjust to quicker reactions and longer throws across the diamond.
Red Sox Focus On Defensive Reset While Mayer Seeks Offensive Consistency At Shortstop
To help Mayer reacclimate, the coaching staff has been focusing on fungo drills and live defensive reads to simulate game situations. Tracy emphasized that Mayer is already familiar with the position and is simply working to regain rhythm and consistency.
While Mayer’s defensive reassignment is a clear organizational priority, questions remain about his offensive production. Through 146 plate appearances this season, he has posted a .221 batting average with a .290 on-base percentage and a .313 slugging percentage, along with six doubles, two home runs, and nine RBIs. He has acknowledged inconsistency at the plate but remains focused on steady improvement.
Mayer said his goal is to find more consistency offensively, noting that while he feels progress has been made recently, particularly during the Kansas City series, he is still not performing at the level he expects.
As for whether returning to shortstop might positively influence his hitting, Mayer remained uncertain, saying only that time will tell. For now, the Red Sox are betting that placing him back in his natural defensive position will stabilize both his development and the team’s infield during Story’s extended absence.