Yoshida is absent from the lineup Tuesday in Game 1 of the American League Wild Card Series against the Yankees.
It will be lefty Max Fried on the bump for the Yankees, so the left-handed-hitting Yoshida will retreat to the bench to begin the contest. Rob Refsnyder is starting at designated hitter and batting leadoff for the Red Sox.
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Red Sox's Masataka Yoshida: Extends hit streak
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Yoshida went 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored in Friday's 4-3 win over the Tigers.
The Red Sox did little against Detroit starter Casey Mize for six innings until Yoshida opened the seventh with a single. Two batters later and after 80 pitches, Mize was removed, and the Red Sox took advantage of the bullpen. Yoshida scored in the seventh, and Boston scored runs in the following two innings to complete the comeback. The multi-hit effort extended Yoshida's hit streak to seven games, during which he's gone 13-for-30 (.433) with four extra-base hits and five RBI.
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Red Sox's Masataka Yoshida: Runs RBI streak to five games
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Yoshida went 2-for-5 with an RBI in Saturday's 6-3 win over the Rays.
Yoshida extended an RBI streak to five games when his single plated the second run in Boston's three-run ninth inning. He's knocked in six runs during the streak. September has been Yoshida's most productive month, as he's batting .302 (13-for-43) with nine RBI over 13 contests. He should see regular work as the designated hitter against right-handers over the final week of the regular season.
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Red Sox's Masataka Yoshida: Knocks in two in win
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Yoshida went 2-for-4 with two RBI in Wednesday's 5-4 extra-inning win over the Athletics.
Yoshida, who entered the game with a .618 OPS through 44 games, batted cleanup and delivered a run-scoring single in the first inning. He later hustled out an infield single with the bases loaded to plate a run in the fifth. His season numbers are underwhelming, but Yoshida is making a modest impact in September. He's gone 10-for-32 (.313) with two doubles and six RBI over 10 games this month.
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Red Sox's Masataka Yoshida: Out of lineup versus lefty
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Yoshida is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Guardians.
Yoshida had started in all three of the Red Sox's games versus Pittsburgh over the weekend and went 2-for-10 with two walks and one run, but he'll head to the bench Monday while the Guardians send lefty Parker Messick to the hill. Rob Refsnyder will replace Yoshida in the lineup at designated hitter.
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Red Sox's Masataka Yoshida: Finishes month on sour note
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Yoshida served as the designated hitter and went 0-for-4 in Sunday's 5-2 win over Pittsburgh.
Yoshida ended August on a down note. Over the final 12 games of the month, he had a .412 OPS with one extra-base hit and zero RBI. He's now batting just .224 with a .609 OPS and two home runs since his return to Boston in early July. It's fair to wonder how long Yoshida's leash is at DH given the limited impact his bat has made. Once Wilyer Abreu (calf) is ready to come off the IL, Yoshida's playing time should take a hit.
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Red Sox's Masataka Yoshida: Idle against southpaw
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Yoshida is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Yankees.
For the second time in the series, the left-handed-hitting Yoshida will bow out of the lineup while the Yankees send a left-handed pitcher (Carlos Rodon) to the bump. With Yoshida on the bench, Roman Anthony will serve as the Red Sox's designated hitter, and Jhostynxon Garcia will pick up a start in right field.
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Red Sox's Masataka Yoshida: Idle against lefty
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Yoshida is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Orioles.
The Red Sox are facing a lefty (Trevor Rogers) in the series opener, so the left-handed-hitting Yoshida will make his way to the bench. The right-handed-hitting Nate Eaton will step in for Yoshida as Boston's designated hitter.
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Red Sox's Masataka Yoshida: Sitting for second straight game
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Yoshida is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Astros.
With Houston sending lefty Framber Valdez to the hill, Yoshida will take a seat for the second day in a row. Rob Refsnyder will serve as Boston's designated hitter in the series finale.
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Red Sox's Masataka Yoshida: Starting against RHP again
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Yoshida will start at designated hitter and bat fifth in Sunday's game against the Dodgers.
Yoshida will make his second straight start against a right-handed pitching, and he could begin to find himself in the lineup on a more frequent basis with Ceddanne Rafaela seeing more playing time at second base to cover for Marcelo Mayer (wrist), temporarily relieving Boston's logjam in the outfield/DH ranks.
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Red Sox's Masataka Yoshida: Makes first outfield start
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Yoshida started in left field and went 0-for-3 in Sunday's 6-1 win over the Cubs.
Yoshida made his first start in the field after a series of appearances as the designated hitter or as a pinch hitter. He was eventually pinch hit for against lefty Drew Pomeranz. Yoshida has gone 6-for-22 (.273) with one RBI, a stolen base and one run scored over seven games since coming off the injured list in the week leading up to the All-Star break.
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Red Sox's Masataka Yoshida: Productive in debut
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Yoshida started at designated hitter and went 3-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a run scored in Wednesday's 10-2 win over the Rockies.
Yoshida made his season debut after missing the first 93 games while recovering from a shoulder injury. His rehab stint was relatively brief for having sat out such a long time -- five games, 17 plate appearances -- but Yoshida was ready for the majors. Boston's outfield was already a logjam with four players for three spots, but they had the DH spot to accommodate the at-bats for all four. Yoshida's return complicates matters.
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Red Sox's Masataka Yoshida: Activated ahead of season debut
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The Red Sox activated Yoshida (shoulder) from the 60-day injured list Wednesday.
Yoshida is finally ready to make his season debut for the Red Sox after a long recovery from offseason surgery on his right shoulder. The 31-year-old will start at designated hitter and will bat sixth in Wednesday's game versus righty Antonio Senzatela and the Rockies. Yoshida might have to get off to a good start if he wants to see regular playing time, as the Red Sox have lots of mouths to feed between the outfield and DH.
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Red Sox's Masataka Yoshida: Begins rehab assignment
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Yoshida (shoulder) went 0-for-2 with a walk for Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday.
Yoshida kicked off a rehab assignment with the WooSox, serving as the DH and playing all seven innings in the first game of a doubleheader. Given his lengthy stint on the injured list, Yoshida may be given the maximum time allowed (20 days) before before being activated. It's unclear if there will be a regular role for Yoshida when he returns, particularly as Boston looks to get at-bats for top prospect Roman Anthony.
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Red Sox's Masataka Yoshida: Getting test run at first base
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The Red Sox plan to give Yoshida (shoulder) some "light work" at first base during his rehab assignment, Sean McAdam and Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com report.
Yoshida was seen working out at the position Wednesday prior to the first game of Worcester's doubleheader. While the Red Sox haven't ruled out Yoshida playing the position in games, it's seen as unlikely at this juncture, as he will focus on designated hitter and the outfield. Yoshida is serving as the DH and batting second in the first game of Worcester's twin bill in what will be his first game action since spring training. He could be transferred to Double-A Portland this weekend while Worcester begins a road trip. The Red Sox haven't put a timeline on Yoshida's activation from the 60-day injured list, but his rehab assignment could be a lengthy one given the 31-year-old's long layoff.
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Red Sox's Masataka Yoshida: Season debut could be 'sped up'
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Manager Alex Cora said Tuesday that Yoshida's (shoulder) return from the 60-day injured list could be expedited after the Red Sox traded Rafael Devers to the Giants on Sunday, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports. "We're going to meet [Tuesday or Wednesday] to go over a few things. Let's see if we can speed up the process," Cora said, in reference to when Yoshida might make his 2025 debut. "He can swing the bat. Now it's a matter of him getting at-bats and all that. But at the same time, respecting the rehab of the shoulder. So we'll decide that sooner rather than later."
Yoshida served exclusively as a designated hitter for the Red Sox in 2024 and has been operating with no restrictions at the plate since late February, but he's nonetheless remained on the IL all season while he's moved slowly through his throwing program following his Oct. 3 right shoulder labral repair. Because Devers had been serving as a full-time DH prior to being traded, the Red Sox weren't willing to activate Yoshida until he proved that his shoulder presented no issues for him while playing in the corner outfield. However, with Devers now out of the picture, Cora said that the Red Sox are considering bringing Yoshida back from the IL before he's cleared to play defense, with the skipper floating the possibility of using him in a platoon at DH with the right-handed-hitting Rob Refsnyder. Yoshida -- who played catch out to 120 feet Tuesday -- would still be an option in the outfield once he finally completes his throwing program, though the Red Sox likely wouldn't have much of a need for him to play defense. Wilyer Abreu's (oblique) expected return from the 10-day IL this weekend will create a logjam in the outfield that could spill over to the DH spot, but the Red Sox might be able to keep Yoshida's bat in the lineup by handing center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela more starts at second base at the expense of Kristian Campbell and David Hamilton, both of whom have offered little offensive production since the beginning of May.
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Red Sox's Masataka Yoshida: Making throws from outfield
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Yoshida (shoulder) began throwing from left field to second base Thursday, MLB.com reports.
Yoshida is increasing the intensity and velocity of his throwing, a sign that he has turned a corner in his rehab from a right shoulder labrum tear. The Red Sox are anticipating a return after the All-Star break; however, it's unclear what role awaits Yoshida. Boston recently promoted top prospect and outfielder Roman Anthony, who will need regular at-bats. Designated hitter isn't a realistic option -- Yoshida has served as the DH in the past -- because Rafael Devers has a grip on that position.
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Red Sox's Masataka Yoshida: Increases intensity
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Yoshida (shoulder) has increased the intensity of his throwing program while playing catch out to 75 feet, MLB.com reports.
Yoshida had been throwing out to 120 feet prior to being shut down in April. The club hasn't pegged an estimated return date for Yoshida, other than this report indicating July at the earliest. Even when Yoshida is ready to go, there's no guarantee he has a spot in the starting lineup.
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Red Sox's Masataka Yoshida: Not close to rehab assignment
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Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Tuesday that Yoshida (shoulder) is not close to a rebab assignment, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.
Yoshida continues to rehab in Fort Myers and is working on a throwing program. He's not going to be ready for duty in the majors until he's able to make throws from the outfield.
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Red Sox's Masataka Yoshida: Playing in extended spring soon
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Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Thursday that Yoshida (shoulder) will begin playing in extended spring training games next week, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.
Cora noted that Yoshida currently has good days and bad days with how his surgically repaired right shoulder is feeling and won't be cleared for a formal minor-league rehab assignment until he is throwing at full strength consistently. With Rafael Devers at designated hitter and Jarren Duran, Ceddanne Rafaela and Wilyer Abreu absorbing the bulk of the outfield at-bats with the big club, Yoshida faces uncertainty with his playing time once he's deemed ready to rejoin the active roster.
