Since July 1, Andruw Monasterio has the third-best OPS on the Boston Red Sox, but his playing time is being threatened by the return of Trevor Story and Isiah Kiner-Falefa.
Monasterio is slashing .308/.379/.500 since the start of July, when he pretty much became an everyday starter. He has been starting at shortstop, but with Story on a rehab assignment, he figures to lose that job. Story was not hitting well before his injury, but the veteran is still expected to take back the job, or at least have it given to him until he proves he does not deserve it.
Monasterio will slide over to second base, but Kiner-Falefa starts a rehab assignment on Wednesday, and Curtis Mead could return at some point to take over as the everyday second baseman. Monasterio's bat has been too good to leave on the bench, and interim manager Chad Tracy knows that.
"He’ll still play,” Tracy said on Tuesday, per MassLive's Chris Cotillo. “It’s hard to deny. He’ll play second. You saw the early part of the season where Mona was playing third, second and a little bit of short if he needed to. The way he’s swung the bat against both left and right, you can’t deny that or ignore it. You have to keep that involved. These are all things with when we get to the point where we start getting guys back.”
With Story back, the infield will likely be Willson Contreras at third base, Monasterio at second base, Story at shortstop and Durbin at third base. Kiner-Falefa could get starts when Story, Monasterio or Durbin get a day off.
The designated hitter spot is also open with Masataka Yoshida on the injured list. Story or Monasterio could get starts there as well if Tracy wants Kiner-Falefa in the lineup as well. Roman Anthony is close to a return as well, so that could mean he or Jarren Duran will occupy the designated hitter spot, as they did early in the season.