The Boston Red Sox could resolve a potential roster logjam by placing one key star on the injured list.
A 31-year-old outfielder entering the third season of his 5-year, $90 million contract, spent the offseason rehabbing from October surgery to repair a labral tear in his right shoulder. He didn’t begin live batting practice until February 26 but has since returned as the Red Sox’s designated hitter, slashing .320/.320/.680 this spring.
Despite his success at the plate, he remains on a limited throwing program and has only recently extended his throws to 90 feet. With Rafael Devers likely taking over as the designated hitter to start the season, he would be reduced to a bench role until his shoulder is healthy enough for him to return to the outfield.
Boston Herald reporter Mac Cerullo asked manager Alex Cora on X (formerly Twitter) if Yoshida’s restricted throwing ability might result in a trip to the IL, even though he’s been swinging the bat well.
Cora’s response? A simple “Yes.”
Masataka Yoshida Has Batted .320 in Spring But Could Open Season on IL
As a rookie in 2023, Masataka Yoshida played in 140 games and delivered a solid slash line of .289/.338/.445, hitting 15 home runs and driving in 72 runs. Injuries limited him in 2024, reducing his workload to just 108 games, though he still put up a respectable .280/.349/.415 line with 10 home runs and 56 RBIs.
Speaking earlier this spring, Red Sox manager Alex Cora praised Yoshida’s offensive potential. “This guy, all throughout his career in Japan, he hit and crushed the ball,” Cora said. “It wasn’t about bat speed or hitting too many ground balls. Like Raffy last year, he played through injuries and still found a way to contribute.”
Cora added, “Now we’re getting a healthy Masa, and I’m excited about that. I believe he’ll get back to dominating the strike zone and driving the ball. That’s going to be fun to watch.”
Yoshida started at designated hitter and hit third in Boston’s 6-5 win over Minnesota on Sunday. Through spring training so far, he’s slashing .320/.320/.680 with 5 RBIs across 25 at-bats.
Return of Wilyer Abreu Further Congests Boston Roster
Adding to Yoshida’s complicated situation is the surprising early return of right fielder Wilyer Abreu, Boston’s 2024 Gold Glove winner.
Abreu had missed a significant portion of spring training due to a gastrointestinal issue, and the initial expectation was that he wouldn’t be ready for Opening Day. However, the Red Sox announced Friday that Abreu had been cleared for game action, and he was back in the starting lineup Saturday against the Braves.
“Physically, everybody feels he’s in a good spot,” manager Alex Cora said. “Now it’s just about getting him the at-bats. He can make up the time. We’ll see how it plays out, but I’m confident he’s physically ready.”