Red Sox designated hitter Masataka Yoshida 'making a ton of progress' in rehab from shoulder surgery
Red Sox designated hitter Masataka Yoshida is rehabbing and working towards being ready for spring training following surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder following the regular season.
“He’s been in Boston rehabbing and went home (to Japan) for the holidays,” said Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow to reporters on Monday. “He’ll be back in January. He’s making a ton of progress, and again, it’s really hard to nail down a specific date when he’ll be completely healthy, but I feel like he should be swinging in spring training, potentially ready for Opening Day. And then we’ll figure out in what capacity that will be.”
The 31-year-old has just begun to hit off the tee in recent days, according to MLB.com’s Ian Browne.
Yoshida has been subject to trade rumors with the Red Sox reportedly trying to trade the Japanese star along with Triston Casas to the Mariners for Luis Castillo.
Boston wanted Seattle to absorb the remaining three years and $55.8 million remaining on Yoshida’s contract. Castillo is owed more than $68.25 million over the next three seasons. Ultimately the deal never came to fruition, and the Red Sox traded for Garrett Crochet and signed Walker Buehler.
In his second big league season, Yoshida played 108 games and had 421 at-bats serving as a designated hitter, slashed .280/.349/.415 with 10 homers and 56 RBIs. He missed action from April 29 through June 10, battling through discomfort in his right shoulder but also a left thumb strain.
Yoshida’s time in Boston hasn’t been disastrous, but for someone who signed a five-year, $90 million deal in December 2022, the Red Sox have gotten a more limited player than someone who can offer production offensively and defensively.
The Red Sox have been looking for roster flexibility since Breslow has taken over the front office a year ago. If the Boston can move Yoshida and most of his remaining money owed, it not only offers some financial flexibility but also the roster spot.
“Without speaking too far into the future here, I think we have to figure out how the roster comes together,” Breslow said in early October when asked about Yoshida. “I don’t think it makes sense to be constrained by anything at this point. (Yoshida) being able to get out there and play in the outfield just gives Alex more flexibility. But obviously we’ll see where the health is, and we’ll figure out the best way for him to impact our team.”
Yoshida admitted after the season that being a full-time designated hitter was tough for him, calling it a “learning experience.” If he can play the field in 2025, it will offer manager Alex Cora more roster and lineup flexibility. With the emergence of Gold Glove winner Wilyer Abreu, All-Star MVP Jarren Duran, and a strong rookie campaign from Ceddanne Rafaela, it’s hard to imagine Yoshida seeing any regular playing time in left field moving forward.
If the Red Sox can pay down some of his deal and/or attach a prospect or two to Yoshida, Breslow could accomplish his goal of creating a more balanced lineup with better roster flexibility.