The Red Sox finally have a quarterback – and the ball found him immediately

BOSTON – It didn't take long for the ball to find Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story in his return after missing 133 games on the injured list.

On the second pitch of the game, Nicky Lopez, the White Sox's first batter, hit a ball at 99 miles per hour straight off the bat to Story. He caught the ball cleanly and threw it to first base, marking the first out of the game.

“That's just how it goes,” Story said. “That's baseball. The ball finds you and it was nice to get that first one out of the way. I felt like it was a busy night.”

Story had a busy night at shortstop, hitting two double plays and showing off his quick, dynamic defensive style in Boston's 7-5 win over the White Sox here at Fenway Park. The first ball put into play in the second inning also went to him, giving him a 6-3 putout.

“Smooth,” manager Alex Cora said of Story's defense. “It's different, too. He's always behind the ball. Sometimes it feels like he's between two jumps, but there's no panic. Two double plays that were really good. Just a smooth guy. He's in control of his position as shortstop.”

Story dislocated his shoulder and fractured the rim of the socket while diving for a ball on April 5 in Anaheim. He underwent shoulder surgery, including a labrum repair, in Los Angeles on April 12. At the time, doctors believed it would be season-ending.

“We didn't think I would be here at this point,” Story said. “It feels like it's been forever since I've been here answering questions about my season-ending injury. I'm just so grateful for the opportunity to do this.”

The Red Sox lead the major leagues with 103 errors, but their defense looked faster and better Saturday with Story's return. The infield got to the balls quickly. Boston could also have Ceddanne Rafaela play center field, where he has saved nine defensive runs compared to minus-2 at the shortstop position.

“He's our quarterback. That's who he is. That's who he is,” Cora said of Story. “That's what we envisioned in the offseason. Obviously, it didn't work out. But what's the big deal? Twenty more (games)? Hopefully we can keep winning games and he's a big part of that.”

Story – who also had an RBI single – said the shortstop position means a lot to him, having saved 79 defensive runs at the position in his career.

“I think shortstop is a very proud position,” Story said. “Good teams have good shortstops. I think the quarterback aspect is a lot of communication. That's really what it's about. … Continuing to talk to each other throughout the game and just reading the swings. I think that's a big part of it.”