Red Sox left-handed hitter looking 'noticeably stronger' after arriving in Fort Myers
The Red Sox are already beginning to make their way to Fort Myers ahead of the official start to spring training. Outfielder/designated hitter Masataka Yoshida is one of the team’s early arrivals at JetBlue Park.
At the end of the regular season, Yoshida underwent surgery to repair the cartilage in his right shoulder. The Japanese star is reportedly “noticeably stronger,” according to The Boston Globe’s Pete Abraham.
Following his surgery, Yoshida rehabbed in Boston to remain closer to the Red Sox medical team. It’s unclear whether he will begin the season on the injured list, but Yoshida has begun to swing the bat and is expected to begin throwing in March. Yoshida will return as the team’s designated hitter and will see time in the outfield, a position he played in an inning last season.
Yoshida told Japanese reporters during the offseason that his shoulder injury prevented him from throwing long distances this season. Meanwhile, the Red Sox maintained all season long that Yoshida not playing the field was not related to physical issues. Alex Cora said that Yoshida not playing the field had more to do with the abundance of outfielders on the roster.
His second season saw the left-handed hitter play in 108 games; he hit .280 with 10 homers, 56 RBI, 21 doubles, and two stolen bases while recording a .764 OPS.
Boston tried to trade Yoshida during the offseason, attempting to pair him with Triston Casas to land Mariners’ Luis Castillo. The deal never went through, and the Red Sox signed Walker Buehler a few weeks later.
With camp set to begin and Boston’s roster largely incomplete due to not adding a right-handed hitter to help balance out the lineup, Yoshida will be a big part of the Red Sox offense in 2025.
