The Boston Red Sox should receive a significant return in the very near future.
Masataka Yoshida, the Red Sox designated hitter/outfielder, has yet to appear in a game during Spring Training. Yoshida had surgery in October to repair a tear in his right shoulder. He’s been working his way back and now allegedly is cleared to hit live batting practice, according to MassLive.com’s Christopher Smith.
“Masataka Yoshida has been cleared to hit live BP,” Smith said.
Yoshida had an up and down year in 2024. He spent the 2023 season primarily in the outfield, but the 2024 season was spent exclusively as a designated hitter. He suffered a few injuries over the season, but he was a strong batter when healthy.
Yoshida participated in 108 games with Boston last season, batting.280/.349/.415 with 10 home runs and 56 RBIs. His numbers were comparable to those of his debut season in 2023, despite the fact that Yoshida played 140 games as a rookie.
Yoshida had an odd offseason. He was the subject of trade rumors throughout the offseason, but he has remained in Boston. Even recently, there has been discussion concerning him. All of the third base question marks can have an impact on him. If the Red Sox move Devers to designated hitter, Yoshida’s playing time would be substantially reduced. He has three years remaining on his five-year, $90 million contract.
It’s uncertain what will happen to him, but maybe he can flourish in his comeback and continue to demonstrate why he belongs in Boston.
