The Boston Red Sox have been heavy hitters in many of their recent games, which makes their earlier offensive woes seem even more puzzling.
During the team's opening slump, so-called "professional hitter" Masataka Yoshida could've been of great service to the offense. He posted 11 spring training games and batted .286/.286/.400 with a homer and a double, but he was shipped to Fort Myers to continue rehabbing his surgically repaired shoulder as soon as the regular season started.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora shared on April 29 that Yoshida will travel back to Boston to have his shoulder examined. His throwing recovery has not progressed as planned and he's only managed very low-intensity work.
Still, plenty of Red Sox fans are itching to see Yoshida's bat in the team's often inconsistent lineup. Some have even theorized that his injury isn't as severe as the Sox have made it seem — or even nonexistent — but they're keeping him at Fenway South because there's no clear roster spot for him in the big leagues. Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow explained the Red Sox's philosophy with Yoshida in an interview with Chris Cotillo and Sean McAdam of MassLive.
“I think there’s no reason for somebody who we think can help us to be stashed anywhere other than Fenway Park,” Breslow said.
Masataka Yoshida isn't ready to play, but Red Sox fans want to see him in the lineup
A discussion on Masataka Yoshida's strange existence — and Red Sox future — on today's pod with @Sean_McAdam. pic.twitter.com/OKCvEJrVcL
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) May 1, 2025
It would, indeed, make no sense for the Red Sox to stash Yoshida away. Not only is he owed over $18 million this year regardless of whether he takes the field or not, but his trade value is only sinking as his season wastes away while he's on the injured list. But Breslow insists he needs more time to recover.
“He was signed as an outfielder,“ Breslow said. ”We’d like for him to be able to play in the outfield. That’s obviously a path to at-bats. I think most important is the fact that he has not completely recovered from the injury in a way that allows him to take on the full role."
With Rafael Devers in the designated hitter slot, there isn't a clear place for Yoshida to play with the Red Sox. The outfield probably is the easiest path to at-bats for him, but Boston has three better defenders already playing there and top prospect Roman Anthony on the way.
Regardless of Breslow and the Red Sox's plans, plenty of fans still want to see Yoshida in the batting order. Last year, the team said his lackluster defense disqualified him from playing the outfield, but management changed its mind less than a year later, only when it benefited them. If Yoshida can swing and hit more consistently than some of the players on the Red Sox roster, he deserves to play rather than having his career put on hold.