Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora said on Thursday that he thinks outfielder/designated hitter Masataka Yoshida (shoulder) could begin his throwing program this weekend. Yoshida was recently shut down from throwing earlier this week after receiving a cortisone shot in his surgically-repaired right shoulder, but he could start throwing again this weekend. Hitting hasn't been an issue for Yoshida, but the 31-year-old will not be cleared to make his 2025 major-league debut until he's able to throw without pain. The Japanese left-handed hitter might not be an option to rejoin the Red Sox's roster until June, as he'll likely need a minor-league rehab assignment first. He has hit for a strong .285 average in his first two seasons in the big leagues, but Yoshida has hit only 25 total home runs and may not be destined for everyday playing time whenever he comes off the IL.

Boston Red Sox outfielder/designated hitter Masataka Yoshida (shoulder) will play in extended spring training games in Fort Myers, Fla., starting next Monday, April 14. Yoshida won't start a minor-league rehab assignment until he is throwing at 100 percent. Manager Alex Cora said Yoshida's throwing right now is inconsistent. The 31-year-old Japanese outfielder played in 11 spring training games and hit .286 (10-for-35) with a home run and seven RBI, but he was never cleared to play defense after having offseason shoulder surgery and is still working on a throwing program in Arizona. Masataka has great bat-to-ball skills, but his limited power has been a disappointment in fantasy since he arrived in the States in 2023. It's unlikely we'll see him make his 2025 big-league debut until May, and when he does return, he'll probably be the odd-man out with Rafael Devers serving as the regular DH.

Boston Red Sox outfielder/designated hitter Masataka Yoshida (shoulder) is throwing out to 110 feet, but when asked if next week is a consideration for him starting a minor-league rehab assignment, manager Alex Cora said, "Not yet." "He needs to make throws from the outfield. It's not just standing there," Cora said. "You have to make throws. So we'll see how that goes." Yoshida had offseason surgery on his right shoulder and still isn't ready to play in games after starting the 2025 season on the 10-day injured list. In addition to his injury and the fact that he's been a disappointment for fantasy managers outside of his high contact rate, the 31-year-old Japanese outfielder might be the odd-man out of the Red Sox's starting lineup when he's healthy now that Rafael Devers is serving as the primary DH. In addition to rehabbing his shoulder, Yoshida also dealt with a minor back injury this spring.

Boston Red Sox outfielder/designated hitter Masataka Yoshida (back, shoulder), who started the season on the injured list as he recovers from a right-shoulder labral repair last October, is doing baseball activities again after being shut down for a few days with minor back tightness. Yoshida took 50 swings in Boston on Sunday, according to manager Alex Cora. The left-handed-hitting Japanese outfielder continues to build up to a throwing program, but he might be a man without a position on the major-league roster when he makes his 2025 debut now that Rafael Devers is serving as the team's primary DH. "Feeling better," Cora said Saturday. "Nothing throwing-wise." When Yoshida is eventually cleared to play in games, he's expected to join Triple-A Worcester on a minor-league rehab assignment. Barring a setback, Yoshida could be activated from the IL before the end of April.

Sean McAdam of Masslive.com reports that Boston Red Sox outfielder Masataka Yoshida (shoulder) traveled back to Boston for consultation on the back injury he's dealing with. McAdam notes that he'll stay there for shoulder rehab until he is game-ready. The 31-year-old was never expected to be ready for the Red Sox opener, though it shouldn't be long before he rejoins the team. The lefty hit a respectable .286 this spring (10-for-35) in 11 appearances but was having issues throwing the ball while recovering from surgery to fix a torn labrum in his right shoulder last October. He was far superior against right-handed pitching in 2024.

Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora said that outfielder/designated hitter Masataka Yoshida (shoulder) will start the 2025 season at Triple-A Worcester as he continues to build out his throwing program as he recovers from offseason shoulder surgery. Specifically, Yoshida won't play in the WooSox's opening home series but will likely join the team in Jacksonville on April 1. This had been the expectation for a while for the 31-year-old lefty hitter after he had surgery last October to fix a torn labrum in his right shoulder. He was able to make nine starts in the Grapefruit League and hit a solid .321 in 28 plate appearances, but he's not ready to throw, which is an issue now that Rafael Devers is opening the year as Boston's primary designated hitter. Even when Yoshida is return to make his 2025 debut for the BoSox, his playing time is likely to be limited as a platoon option in left field.

Boston Red Sox outfielder/designated hitter Masataka Yoshida (shoulder) continues to build up his throwing progression after having offseason right-shoulder surgery, but he's only throwing at 60 feet. Yoshida has appeared in Grapefruit League games at DH, but The Athletic's Jen McCaffrey thinks the likely scenario at this point is that Yoshida will start the season on the injured list with third baseman Rafael Devers (shoulders) serving as the DH. The 31-year-old Japanese outfielder has gone 4-for-16 with a double and four RBI in five spring training games. With Devers potentially serving as the regular DH for the majority of the 2025 season, it means that Yoshida would have to return to outfield work if he's to continue seeing regular at-bats. Yoshida has made plenty of contact in his two years in the big leagues, but his lack of power and dwindling playing time are an issue for his dwindling fantasy value.

Boston Red Sox designated hitter Masataka Yoshida (shoulder) is set to make his spring debut on Sunday. Yoshida is expected to serve as a designated hitter. The 31-year-old is still recovering from the surgery he underwent on his right labrum in October. Yoshida will continue to serve as a DH for the time being as he has yet to fully progress through his throwing program. Last summer, he made only one start in the outfield and logged his other starts as a DH. Across 108 contests, Yoshida held a .280/.349/.415 slash line with 21 doubles and 10 home runs. He swiped two bags. Under the hood, he generated a .258 xBA with a modest .322 xwOBA, suggesting he may face some regression when he returns to the field. During the regular season, fantasy managers should expect him to operate primarily as a DH, which could limit his playing time.

Boston Red Sox outfielder Masataka Yoshida (shoulder) is ready to serve as the designated hitter during spring training. The organization has been bringing him along slowly due to his lingering shoulder issues. It's good news that Yoshida is ready to start swinging the bat during games. However, Yoshida is still early in his throwing program and has only progressed to throwing from 45 feet. The expectation is that Yoshida is going to spend most of his time at DH anyway this season. The Red Sox already have three capable outfielders, so Yoshida is the odd man out right now and could see even fewer at-bats if Rafael Devers (shoulder) moves to more of a permanent DH role in 2025.

Boston Red Sox designated hitter Masataka Yoshida (shoulder) has been cleared to take live batting practice in camp, according to Mass Live's Christopher Smith. Yoshida needed surgery last October to fix a tear in the labrum in his right shoulder, which is why he's been delayed early in spring training. However, the Red Sox expect the 31-year-old Japanese slugger to be ready for Opening Day at the end of March as long as he doesn't suffer any setbacks with his surgically repaired shoulder once he begins swinging a bat. Even if Yoshida is ready for the start of the 2025 regular season, his fantasy value will be down after disappointing in his first two big-league seasons in Beantown. He makes plenty of contact and has hit .285 in 248 games, but he lacks power (25 homers) and is a DH-only in fantasy. If the Red Sox end up moving Rafael Devers or Triston Casas to DH in 2025, Yoshida could lose valuable playing time.

The Boston Herald's Gabrielle Star reports that Boston Red Sox outfielder/designated hitter Masataka Yoshida (shoulder) said he's planning to be ready for Opening Day in late March. Yoshida has made plenty of contact for the Red Sox in his two seasons with the team, but he's coming off right-shoulder injury and has pretty much become a full-time DH at this point. The 31-year-old left-handed hitter's fantasy profile wasn't helped when Alex Bregman signed with Boston, either, as either Rafael Devers or Triston Casas could see more time at DH if the team uses Bregman at third base. Yoshida hit .280/.349/.415 with a .765 OPS, 10 homers, 56 RBI and 45 runs scored in 108 games played last year. He's limited defensively, doesn't hit for much power and is now an injury question mark, dropping his fantasy stock significantly going into his third year in the big leagues.

Boston Red Sox outfielder/designated hitter Masataka Yoshida (shoulder) said at Fenway Fest last month that he expected to be swinging by late January and throwing by March, but he didn't want to put a timetable on whether he'd be ready for Opening Day, writes The Athletic's Jen McCaffrey. Yoshida had shoulder surgery last October, with the Red Sox revamping his offseason workouts as a result. He still has three years remaining on a five-year deal, but he hasn't been able to stay healthy, and his production has dipped as a result. All but one of the 31-year-old left-handed hitter's games in 2024 came as Boston's DH, slashing .280/.349/.415 with 10 homers, 56 RBI and 45 runs scored in 108 games. You can count on Yoshida to make plenty of contact and hit for average, but question marks around his health, limited positional versatility and lack of pop leave him virtually zero fantasy upside.

Boston Red Sox designated hitter Masataka Yoshida (shoulder) could play some outfield if he remains with the team in 2025, according to manager Alex Cora. However, the left-handed hitter is a potential trade candidate this offseason as the BoSox look for more right-handed bats for their lineup, so there's no guarantee Yoshida will even be in Boston by Opening Day. But the Red Sox could have trouble finding a team willing to take Yoshida, who is due $55.8 million over the next three years and is coming off surgery to fix a torn labrum in his throwing shoulder in October. He was limited to designated-hitter duties in 2024 but made 84 starts in left field as a rookie in 2023. Yoshida never went on the injured list in 2024, but his lingering shoulder issue limited him to just one inning in left field. He's been mediocre for fantasy managers in his first two years with a .280 average, 25 homers and a .775 OPS in 248 games.

Boston Red Sox outfielder/designated hitter Masataka Yoshida (shoulder) is "making a ton of progress" this offseason and should be swinging a bat in spring training, according to chief baseball officer Craig Breslow. Yoshida required surgery to fix a labral tear in his right shoulder in October, but barring a setback in his rehab, the 31-year-old Japanese outfielder should be ready for the start of the 2025 regular season. He's been mostly a disappointment for the Red Sox and still carries $55.8 million left on his deal, which has prompted Boston to discuss him in trade talks this offseason. Yoshida was basically a full-time DH in 2024 -- he played just one game in the outfield. For fantasy purposes, Yoshida has nice contact skills -- he slashed .280/.349/.415 -- but he'll limit you defensively and doesn't hit for much power (just 10 homers).

According to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, the Boston Red Sox attempted to move designated hitter Masataka Yoshida in a deal that would have brought right-handed pitcher Luis Castillo to Boston. Feinsand reported that the Mariners were looking to acquire first baseman Triston Casas in exchange for Castillo, but rejected the deal as the Red Sox attempted to put Yoshida in the package as well. The 31-year-old carries a hefty contract worth $55.8 million but Seattle was unwilling to take on the payroll. Feinsand noted that once this deal fell through, Boston pivoted to Walker Buehler. Yoshida has been deployed as a pure DH given his defensive struggles and held a .280/.349/.415 line with ten home runs and two stolen bases last summer. If Yoshida remains on the Red Sox, fantasy managers should expect him to see most starts at the DH spot.

Boston Red Sox designated hitter Masataka Yoshida underwent shoulder surgery to repair the labrum in his right shoulder on Wednesday. The team is targeting an Opening Day return for the 31-year-old. Yoshida was solid over the 108 games he played this season, especially in the second half when he posted an .823 OPS (.698 in the first half), a .359 wOBA (.310 first half), and a 131 wRC+ (96 first half), but missed all of May and part of June with a thumb injury. If he can manage to stay healthy next season, look for numbers more in line with his 2023 totals of .289-15-72-71-8.

Boston Red Sox outfielder Masataka Yoshida is not in Saturday's lineup as the Red Sox continue their finals series of the season against the Tampa Bay Rays. Yoshida has gotten the starting nod in each of the past three games and will take another day off on Saturday afternoon. As a result, Mickey Gasper will get serve as the designated hitter. Yoshida has enjoyed an excellent second-half as he has posted a .299/.370/.453 slash line with six home runs and 43 RBI compared to his .260/.325/.373 line he held in the first-half. Fantasy managers should expect Yoshida to return to the starting nine in game No.162 on Sunday. Gasper is best to fade in DFS as he will face Tampa Bay right-hander Shane Baz who has carried a stellar 1.95 ERA and a 0.76 across his past six starts.

With a left-hander on the mound, Boston Red Sox outfielder/designated hitter Masataka Yoshida will retreat to the bench on Thursday against the division-rival New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Tyler O'Neill will serve as the DH and will bat cleanup against Yankees left-hander Nestor Cortes. O'Neill has hit .167 with an RBI in just six career at-bats against Cortes. However, O'Neill comes in riding high after hitting a walk-off home run to beat the division-rival Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday night. He's also hitting .313 (10-for-32) with five homers and nine RBI in nine games in the month of September. Needless to say, O'Neill is attractive for DFS lineups. The contact-based Yoshida is hitting just .200 (17-for-85) with only two of his nine home runs on the year against left-handed pitchers and is hitless in his four career at-bats against Cortes.

Boston Red Sox designated hitter Masataka Yoshida recorded three hits with a home run and four RBI in Friday night's win over the hosting division-rival Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards. Before hitting an RBI single in the eighth inning on Friday against Baltimore, Yoshida cranked a three-run homer off O's ace Corbin Burnes to right field to extend the Red Sox lead to 8-4 in the fourth frame. In 35 games since the start of July, the left-handed-hitting 31-year-old outfielder is batting a hot .336 (44-for-131) with six homers, 30 RBI, and 21 runs scored as Boston's primary DH against right-handed pitching.

Boston Red Sox designated hitter Masataka Yoshida went 4-for-5 and scored two runs in Monday's 9-5 win at the Kansas City Royals. Yoshida had a pair of doubles while snapping out of a five-game hitless stretch after recording multiple hits in four of his previous five games. He is hitting .277/.352/.393 with five homers, 34 RBI, and 29 runs scored in an injury-plagued season limiting him to 63 games. Yoshida's all-around skills make him a solid asset in all formats, and, considering he hit 15 homers and stole eight bases in 2023, his best has yet to come.