The Boston Red Sox shared a series of injury updates over the weekend, and a few players on the shelf are expected to return to the roster soon. Masataka Yoshida is not among them.
Yoshida has yet to appear for the Red Sox this year and the team has issued rare updates on his recovery. Most recently, on April 27, Alex Cora reiterated that Yoshida is still not close to a rehab assignment. He gave the same update on April 15.
Red Sox share that Masataka Yoshida is still not close to a rehab assignment
Yoshida is in Fort Myers rehabbing from offseason labrum surgery, where he's been taking at-bats and following his throwing program, reported by Christopher Smith of MassLive. Red Sox fans have questioned the apparent holdup in Yoshida's injury recovery — he played 11 spring training games and looked just fine at the plate with a .286/.286/.400 slash line.
Boston has not given a timeline for when Yoshida will begin a rehab assignment. The Red Sox seem to be taking their time with his recovery, possibly because there isn't a clear spot for him on the roster now that Rafael Devers has transitioned to the designated hitter role.
Connor Wong goes 2-for-4 in first rehab game with WooSox on April 27
Connor Wong began his rehab assignment and is nearing his return as Boston's primary catcher after an errant swing fractured his hand near his pinky finger on April 7. He batted second in the first game of the WooSox's doubleheader on April 27 and went 2-for-4 with an RBI and two strikeouts. He has as many hits in the nine games he's played with the big league squad this season.
Wong will make another rehab appearance with Triple-A Worcester on April 29. Cora noted that backup catcher Carlos Narváez will still play regularly after Wong's return since he's been so defensively sound. He leads the league in blocks above average and ranks in the 90th percentile in framing, according to Baseball Savant.
Red Sox's Kutter Crawford will throw live batting practice at the end of the week
Like Yoshida, Kutter Crawford arrived at spring training with an injury and is still recovering in Fort Myers. He's been battling right knee issues and has not pitched in a game yet this season.
Smith reports that Crawford will throw one more bullpen session at Fenway South before he progresses to live batting practice at the end of the week. There is still no timeline for when he will begin a rehab assignment.
Red Sox don't expect Roman Anthony to need IL stint after fouling ball off foot
Top prospect Roman Anthony experienced another injury scare over the weekend, soon after he returned to the outfield after shoulder soreness limited him to the DH spot. Anthony fouled a ball off his foot early in the game, but remained in the lineup until the fifth inning when the foot "[stiffened] up on him," according to WooSox manager Chad Tracy.
Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports that x-rays of Anthony's foot came back clear of a break. He isn't expected to need an IL stint and the WooSox believe he can return to the lineup later in the week.