Masataka Yoshida To Play In Extended Spring Games Next Week
Boston Red Sox outfielder/designated hitter Masataka Yoshida (shoulder) will play in extended spring training games in Fort Myers, Fla., starting next Monday, April 14. Yoshida won't start a minor-league rehab assignment until he is throwing at 100 percent. Manager Alex Cora said Yoshida's throwing right now is inconsistent. The 31-year-old Japanese outfielder played in 11 spring training games and hit .286 (10-for-35) with a home run and seven RBI, but he was never cleared to play defense after having offseason shoulder surgery and is still working on a throwing program in Arizona. Masataka has great bat-to-ball skills, but his limited power has been a disappointment in fantasy since he arrived in the States in 2023. It's unlikely we'll see him make his 2025 big-league debut until May, and when he does return, he'll probably be the odd-man out with Rafael Devers serving as the regular DH.
Boston Red Sox outfielder/designated hitter Masataka Yoshida (shoulder) is throwing out to 110 feet, but when asked if next week is a consideration for him starting a minor-league rehab assignment, manager Alex Cora said, "Not yet." "He needs to make throws from the outfield. It's not just standing there," Cora said. "You have to make throws. So we'll see how that goes." Yoshida had offseason surgery on his right shoulder and still isn't ready to play in games after starting the 2025 season on the 10-day injured list. In addition to his injury and the fact that he's been a disappointment for fantasy managers outside of his high contact rate, the 31-year-old Japanese outfielder might be the odd-man out of the Red Sox's starting lineup when he's healthy now that Rafael Devers is serving as the primary DH. In addition to rehabbing his shoulder, Yoshida also dealt with a minor back injury this spring.
Boston Red Sox outfielder/designated hitter Masataka Yoshida (back, shoulder), who started the season on the injured list as he recovers from a right-shoulder labral repair last October, is doing baseball activities again after being shut down for a few days with minor back tightness. Yoshida took 50 swings in Boston on Sunday, according to manager Alex Cora. The left-handed-hitting Japanese outfielder continues to build up to a throwing program, but he might be a man without a position on the major-league roster when he makes his 2025 debut now that Rafael Devers is serving as the team's primary DH. "Feeling better," Cora said Saturday. "Nothing throwing-wise." When Yoshida is eventually cleared to play in games, he's expected to join Triple-A Worcester on a minor-league rehab assignment. Barring a setback, Yoshida could be activated from the IL before the end of April.
Sean McAdam of Masslive.com reports that Boston Red Sox outfielder Masataka Yoshida (shoulder) traveled back to Boston for consultation on the back injury he's dealing with. McAdam notes that he'll stay there for shoulder rehab until he is game-ready. The 31-year-old was never expected to be ready for the Red Sox opener, though it shouldn't be long before he rejoins the team. The lefty hit a respectable .286 this spring (10-for-35) in 11 appearances but was having issues throwing the ball while recovering from surgery to fix a torn labrum in his right shoulder last October. He was far superior against right-handed pitching in 2024.
Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora said that outfielder/designated hitter Masataka Yoshida (shoulder) will start the 2025 season at Triple-A Worcester as he continues to build out his throwing program as he recovers from offseason shoulder surgery. Specifically, Yoshida won't play in the WooSox's opening home series but will likely join the team in Jacksonville on April 1. This had been the expectation for a while for the 31-year-old lefty hitter after he had surgery last October to fix a torn labrum in his right shoulder. He was able to make nine starts in the Grapefruit League and hit a solid .321 in 28 plate appearances, but he's not ready to throw, which is an issue now that Rafael Devers is opening the year as Boston's primary designated hitter. Even when Yoshida is return to make his 2025 debut for the BoSox, his playing time is likely to be limited as a platoon option in left field.
Boston Red Sox outfielder/designated hitter Masataka Yoshida (shoulder) continues to build up his throwing progression after having offseason right-shoulder surgery, but he's only throwing at 60 feet. Yoshida has appeared in Grapefruit League games at DH, but The Athletic's Jen McCaffrey thinks the likely scenario at this point is that Yoshida will start the season on the injured list with third baseman Rafael Devers (shoulders) serving as the DH. The 31-year-old Japanese outfielder has gone 4-for-16 with a double and four RBI in five spring training games. With Devers potentially serving as the regular DH for the majority of the 2025 season, it means that Yoshida would have to return to outfield work if he's to continue seeing regular at-bats. Yoshida has made plenty of contact in his two years in the big leagues, but his lack of power and dwindling playing time are an issue for his dwindling fantasy value.
Boston Red Sox designated hitter Masataka Yoshida (shoulder) is set to make his spring debut on Sunday. Yoshida is expected to serve as a designated hitter. The 31-year-old is still recovering from the surgery he underwent on his right labrum in October. Yoshida will continue to serve as a DH for the time being as he has yet to fully progress through his throwing program. Last summer, he made only one start in the outfield and logged his other starts as a DH. Across 108 contests, Yoshida held a .280/.349/.415 slash line with 21 doubles and 10 home runs. He swiped two bags. Under the hood, he generated a .258 xBA with a modest .322 xwOBA, suggesting he may face some regression when he returns to the field. During the regular season, fantasy managers should expect him to operate primarily as a DH, which could limit his playing time.
Masataka Yoshida Ready To Serve As Designated Hitter
Boston Red Sox outfielder Masataka Yoshida (shoulder) is ready to serve as the designated hitter during spring training. The organization has been bringing him along slowly due to his lingering shoulder issues. It's good news that Yoshida is ready to start swinging the bat during games. However, Yoshida is still early in his throwing program and has only progressed to throwing from 45 feet. The expectation is that Yoshida is going to spend most of his time at DH anyway this season. The Red Sox already have three capable outfielders, so Yoshida is the odd man out right now and could see even fewer at-bats if Rafael Devers (shoulder) moves to more of a permanent DH role in 2025.
Masataka Yoshida Cleared For Live Batting Practice
Boston Red Sox designated hitter Masataka Yoshida (shoulder) has been cleared to take live batting practice in camp, according to Mass Live's Christopher Smith. Yoshida needed surgery last October to fix a tear in the labrum in his right shoulder, which is why he's been delayed early in spring training. However, the Red Sox expect the 31-year-old Japanese slugger to be ready for Opening Day at the end of March as long as he doesn't suffer any setbacks with his surgically repaired shoulder once he begins swinging a bat. Even if Yoshida is ready for the start of the 2025 regular season, his fantasy value will be down after disappointing in his first two big-league seasons in Beantown. He makes plenty of contact and has hit .285 in 248 games, but he lacks power (25 homers) and is a DH-only in fantasy. If the Red Sox end up moving Rafael Devers or Triston Casas to DH in 2025, Yoshida could lose valuable playing time.
Masataka Yoshida Plans To Be Ready For Opening Day
The Boston Herald's Gabrielle Star reports that Boston Red Sox outfielder/designated hitter Masataka Yoshida (shoulder) said he's planning to be ready for Opening Day in late March. Yoshida has made plenty of contact for the Red Sox in his two seasons with the team, but he's coming off right-shoulder injury and has pretty much become a full-time DH at this point. The 31-year-old left-handed hitter's fantasy profile wasn't helped when Alex Bregman signed with Boston, either, as either Rafael Devers or Triston Casas could see more time at DH if the team uses Bregman at third base. Yoshida hit .280/.349/.415 with a .765 OPS, 10 homers, 56 RBI and 45 runs scored in 108 games played last year. He's limited defensively, doesn't hit for much power and is now an injury question mark, dropping his fantasy stock significantly going into his third year in the big leagues.
Masataka Yoshida
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Red Sox
