Story confident thumb surgery will be success

DENVER — Rockies rookie shortstop Trevor Story will have the ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb repaired surgically on Thursday, then pull for his team and hope for a chance to play in the playoffs.

Story was hoping to be playing now, with his team surging in the National League Wild Card standings, but the injury he suffered Sunday in New York nixed that. Recovery from Thursday’s operation, which will be performed by hand and upper-extremity orthopedic surgeon Dr. Jennifer Kummer, is expected to cost him the rest of the regular season.

But with an eight-week recovery time, Story could return if the Rockies make the playoffs.

“For sure,” said Story on Wednesday, still wearing a hard brace on the thumb but appearing more upbeat than the previous day, when he announced that he needed surgery. “That’s our whole team’s mindset. That’s certainly my mindset.”

Story, 23, the NL leader in home runs with 27, said he has never undergone surgery, but isn’t afraid. But he learned about the operation from Dodgers second baseman Chase Utley, who had the surgery in June 2010 and returned in late August. Also, Rockies …

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