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The Boston Red Sox’s early-season momentum has hit a snag, not just on the scoreboard but in the training room. Outfielder Masataka Yoshida, still recovering from right labrum surgery last fall, remains sidelined as the team treads cautiously with his rehab. Manager Alex Cora shared critical updates on Yoshida’s status ahead of Friday’s home opener against the St. Louis Cardinals.
While the Red Sox clawed back to a 3-4 record after a rocky start, fans are left wondering: When will the Japanese star return to action?
Cora’s cautious approach on Masataka Yoshida
Yoshida’s road to recovery is progressing, but patience is the name of the game. According to Cora, the 31-year-old is currently throwing from 110 feet—a positive step, but not enough to greenlight a rehab assignment.
“It’s not just standing there; you have to make throws,” Cora emphasized, hinting at defensive drills as the next hurdle.
Despite Masataka Yoshida’s promising .286 spring training average (10-for-35), Boston’s $90 million investment isn’t rushing back. A minor back tweak late in camp only reinforced the team’s “better safe than sorry” mindset.
The Red Sox’s lineup shuffle complicates Yoshida’s path further. With Rafael Devers transitioning to full-time designated hitter following Alex Bregman’s signing, opportunities for Yoshida—a bat-first player with defensive limitations—are shrinking. Cora faces a puzzle: How to integrate Yoshida’s offensive upside without sacrificing defensive stability?
From NPB star to Boston Red Sox’s dilemma
Yoshida’s MLB journey has been a tale of two seasons. His 2023 rookie campaign sparkled—15 homers, 72 RBIs, and a .289 average—but 2024 saw dips in power and consistency. Still, his pedigree is undeniable.
A two-time Pacific League batting champ in Japan, Masataka Yoshida boasts a .327 career NPB average and a Gold Medal from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. His clutch hitting propelled the Orix Buffaloes to a 2022 Japan Series title, a pedigree Boston hopes to reignite.
Red Sox’s rocky start and home opener hopes
Boston’s 3-4 start—a win streak snapped by four losses before rebounding—has fans craving stability. Newcomer Walker Buehler’s Fenway Park debut against the Cardinals offers a fresh chapter, but Yoshida’s absence looms.
While his bat could bolster a lineup averaging just 4.1 runs per game, the Red Sox refuse to gamble with his health. As Cora put it, “We’ll see how it goes”—a mantra defining Masataka Yoshida’s cautious comeback.
For now, Yoshida’s rehab grind continues, a reminder that even $90 million stars can’t fast-track biology.
