Masataka Yoshida, the Boston Red Sox’s 2024 designated hitter, began the season on the injured list after spending the winter unsure of his position on the squad.
Despite being able to swing a bat, Yoshida’s throwing development is still behind after undergoing surgery in October to repair his labrum. Yoshida batted.286/.286/.400 with a homer in 11 games during the Red Sox’s spring training games while serving as a DH while Rafael Devers healed from his own shoulder injury.
Yoshida is still in Fort Myers pursuing a rehab assignment almost a month after his last spring training game. When reporters questioned Red Sox manager Alex Cora about the outfielder’s impending rehab stay, he simply said, “Not yet.”
Despite earlier worries about the caliber of his defense, Christopher Smith of MassLive stated that Yoshida will not return until he can throw from the outfield, where the Red Sox want to use him this season. With Rob Refsnyder, Ceddanne Rafaela, Wilyer Abreu, Jarren Duran, and eventually Roman Anthony fighting for a slot, it’s unclear how they’ll fit him in the pastures.
Masataka Yoshida still not near rehab assignment, still unclear where he fits in Red Sox lineup
Throughout Boston’s difficult offensive run, Red Sox supporters have been curious about Yoshida’s recuperation status. The Sox could really use Yoshida’s ability to get on base, as they are once again leading MLB in strikeouts with 190 in 19 games.
Over 108 games in 2024, Yoshida batted.280/.349/.415 with 52 strikeouts and 27 walks. Yoshida was signed by the Red Sox before to the 2023 season because of his exceptionally reliable batting line (.327/.421/.539) over his seven seasons in Nippon Professional Baseball. Although his output hasn’t been as good as expected, he has been a vital bat in their lineup. During Boston’s 2024 hot streak in July, Yoshida batted.333/.411/.487, and Cora claimed at the time that the Red Sox are “elite” when he’s locked in.
Although Yoshida is still a long way from rejoining the Red Sox, perhaps the team will be able to find a spot for him when he’s ready. Boston, which is having trouble lowering its strikeout totals and scoring more runs, could use a bat as reliable as his.
