Sparse updates and less-than-deal news have characterized Masataka Yoshida's labrum surgery rehab. Finally, on June 10, the Boston Red Sox issued a positive note on Yoshida's recovery.
Boston's 2024 designated hitter got a cortisone shot a few weeks ago and is feeling "a lot better," as reported by Rob Bradford of WEEI. Yoshida is throwing as far as 105 feet and hopes to go on a rehab assignment in late June or early July.
This update is great news for both Yoshida and the Red Sox. Yoshida wasn't thrilled to move to the DH spot last season and a return to the outfield will help Boston get him back into the lineup while Rafael Devers holds down the fort in his former role.
Yoshida has been one of the Sox's most consistent hitters when he's hot. He's slashed .285/.343/.433 with 133 strikeouts and 61 walks in 248 games over his two seasons with Boston. In 2024, he owned a 95th percentile whiff percentage and a 97th percentile strikeout percentage, which is sure to assist the Red Sox in one of their most dire areas of need — strikeouts in general, and strikeouts with runners in scoring position.
Red Sox's Masataka Yoshdia feeling better after recent cortisone shot, could begin rehab assignment as soon as end of June
The Red Sox have struck out 629 times this season, the second-most in MLB behind the Dodgers. They lead the league with 188 strikeouts with runners in scoring position. The Reds rank second with 162 strikeouts in those scenarios, and the Cubs rank third with 153. Boston is running away with the lead in this category and it's killing it in close games. The Red Sox have lost a staggering 17 one-run games, and the lack of clutch offense is brutal on the bullpen, which Alex Cora consistently exhausts to try and seal a win.
Yoshida will likely need his entire rehab assignment, or close to it, since it's been quite a long time since he took live at-bats during spring training. But when he's finally ready to suit up for the Red Sox, they'll have to decide where to play him. Boston's outfield is jammed, with Jarren Duran, Wilyer Abreu, Ceddanne Rafaela, Rob Refsnyder and Roman Anthony all competing for three spots. Rafaela is on a long-term extension and he's one of the best — if not the best— defensive outfielders in the league, so moving him seems like one of the least likely options. Duran, Abreu and Refsnyder are each intriguing trade candidates, and one or more may need to be moved to accommodate Yoshida, who is still owed over $45 million of his Red Sox contract.
Yoshida will be a boon to the Sox's lineup in due time. He'll add length to the batting order and he could help lessen Boston's strikeout numbers. But where and when he'll play are still up in the air.