After a disappointing second season with the Boston Red Sox, rumors about Masataka Yoshida's fate with the organization have flown since the beginning of their offseason.
But recent news from the Red Sox could change their plans for the designated hitter. Yoshida underwent a successful right labral repair, reported first on the morning of Oct. 16 by Chris Cotillo of MassLive.
Yoshida shared with reporters on the final day of the regular season that he'd been playing through shoulder discomfort that may require surgical intervention. He underwent the right labral procedure just four days later at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Boston did not provide a timeline for Yoshida's recovery, but his healing could take weeks to months. He may not be ready for action when spring training begins.
Red Sox designated hitter Masataka Yoshida underwent shoulder surgery on Oct. 3
Masataka Yoshida underwent a successful right shoulder labral repair on October 3, per the Red Sox.
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) October 16, 2024
The designated hitter spent six weeks on the injured list with a thumb strain during the season, which, among other factors, limited him to just 108 games in 2024. Yoshida is yet another left-hander in the Sox's lefty-heavy lineup, and his lack of defensive talent made him a prime trade candidate if Boston could find a suitor willing to take on the rest of his hefty salary for the next three seasons.
When Yoshida was on, he became a critical piece of the Sox's lineup. He batted .326/.381/.516 in August and kept the Red Sox alive when their Wild Card standing began to slip. A healthy Yoshida for all of 2025 could significantly lengthen the Sox's lineup.