The Boston Red Sox are set to open the 2025 season against the Texas Rangers in less than two months, with or without Masataka Yoshida.
Boston has now entertained the idea of trading the 31-year-old outfielder for a second straight offseason, and his future with the Red Sox remains uncertain. Many thought Yoshida would have been traded by now, but the fact that he still hasn't would seem to indicate that the Red Sox expect him to be in their lineup for Opening Day.
However, when Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic (subscription required) projected Boston's Opening Day lineup this week, Yoshida's name was conspicuously absent. Yoshida underwent shoulder surgery in early October, but the Red Sox expect him to be ready for Opening Day; why, then, wouldn't he slot into the lineup against the Rangers?
McCaffrey clarified that the omission of Yoshida was not meant to imply an impending trade; rather, she said, "it feels like he won’t be ready for Opening Day."
Well then. That's new.
"At Fenway Fest, Yoshida said he would begin taking dry swings (not hitting a ball, just the motion of swinging) by the end of January and wouldn’t begin throwing until March," McCaffrey reported. "It’s possible he’s ready for the start of the season, and it’s not as if he’d be throwing regardless from the DH spot. Still, I could see the team giving him extra time to rehab fully and, in turn, promote Campbell to start the season."
Red Sox insider's update on Masataka Yoshida injury is likely what's causing trade holdup
By McCaffrey's estimations, Yoshida is behind schedule in his recovery. While the assumption was that he would be in the lineup as a DH to start until he was able to throw from the outfield, it now sounds like even that might be a stretch.
Could it be that Yoshida falling behind schedule in his rehab is the reason that trade talks appear to have stalled? After all, if he won't be ready to play for the Red Sox by Opening Day, he won't be ready to play for anyone else, either.
The Red Sox have more talented position players than roster spots, theoretically making Yoshida expendable. However, convincing teams to take on an injured player who is due $55.8 million over the next three years has proven to be a tough sell; his recovery taking longer than anticipated would make that sell even tougher.