‘That’s home to me’: Marcelo Mayer to practice at shortstop as Red Sox mull position change

ATLANTA — Marcelo Mayer, who has played shortstop virtually his entire life, has spoken with Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy about a potential switch back to that spot and plans to start practicing there, he said Sunday.

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He is among the Sox’ primary options as they mull what to do in the absence of Trevor Story, who is considering surgery for a sports hernia that could keep him out about two months.

“Obviously, that’s home to me,” Mayer said before the Red Sox’ series finale with the Braves. “That’s where I’ve played my whole life. And we’ve had some discussions, going to get some reps there in practice whenever I can. But wherever Trace [tells] you to play, that’s what it’s going to be, whether it’s short, third, second. I’m just here to help the team.”

Mayer is down for whatever. He reiterated that team-first sentiment four times in a 90-second interview, squeezed into a busy morning between work in the batting cage and infield drills (at second base).

Tracy reiterated Sunday, a day after Story went on the injured list, that moving Mayer from second base is appealing only if Story indeed is going to miss an extended period. So the Sox won’t make any concrete moves on this front until they get clarity on Story.

To that end, Story was due to return to Boston later Sunday as the Red Sox continued on to Kansas City, Mo., for a series against the Royals. He is slated to have more conversations with doctors early this week as he weighs his options.

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Tracy described his conversations with Mayer about shortstop as “very preliminary.” He watched Mayer at his natural position up close with Triple-A Worcester last year.

“He’s just a graceful infielder,” Tracy said. “My biggest observation when I watch him play infield [is] he’s got a very good internal clock. He knows how to approach a ball, he never looks like he’s in a hurry, and all those things stand out. He’s a good athlete.

“I think he’s capable of doing anything, but again, in that situation, there’s gray areas involved. We’ve got to make sure we do it right.”

Mayer, 23, was drafted and rose through the minors as a shortstop, got his first major league experience at third base last year, and has played only second this season. He hasn’t worked out at shortstop since the offseason.

“There’s a sense of comfort there, obviously, as well as second,” Mayer said. “I’ve been playing [at second base] for months, so wherever it is they need me to play, I’ll get acclimated and just go out there and play hard.”

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