Wilyer Abreu was one of Boston’s biggest success stories last season, becoming the first Red Sox rookie to win a Gold Glove since Fred Lynn in 1975 while finishing sixth in the American League Rookie of the Year vote.

But had things played out slightly differently, there’s a chance Abreu could have spent most of the season in the minors instead.

“He was probably a week away from going to Worcester,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora told reporters in Fort Myers on Thursday. “Then Trevor (Story) got hurt and all of a sudden we moved (Ceddanne) Rafaela and he played Gold Glove defense.”

Originally acquired in 2022 as part of the Christian Vazquez trade, Abreu wasn’t regarded as a top prospect but turned heads upon his arrival from Houston thanks to his well-rounded skillset and especially his strike zone discipline and elite outfield throwing arm. He performed well after being called up late in the 2023 season, but while he entered 2024 as the presumed starting right fielder, Cora said he nearly played his way out of that role.

“He actually struggled defensively early in the season, he had a bad spring training, he struck out a lot,” Cora said. “Little by little he found his swing and he did an outstanding job for us.”

At the time of Story’s injury Abreu was batting .154, and that average dipped as low as .111 by the time Boston returned from the west coast for its home opener. But over the next two months — until he landed on the injured list after slipping down the dugout steps on June 2 — Abreu batted .291 with a .892 OPS, becoming one of Boston’s most productive players during that stretch.

Now heading into 2025 Abreu figures to be a key piece of the puzzle, but like Jarren Duran, Rafael Devers and Triston Casas before him, he still has to prove he can hit lefties before he can be a true everyday regular. On that front Cora says Abreu will be given the chance in spring, but he wouldn’t commit to Abreu’s ultimate role come Opening Day.

“What he brings to the equation defensively, we cannot take it for granted. It would be good if he can play in right field most of the games at Fenway because we know how he plays it,” Cora said. “It’s still early to talk about what we’re going to do as far as the personnel, who’s going to platoon and who’s not, but we’ll try to see if he can face a lot of lefties in spring training, that will be good for him and then we’ll decide what we’re going to do.”