One man who has been overlooked is Masataka Yoshida. Yoshida entered Spring Training with no position after two respectable seasons in which he slashed.285/.343/.433 and recorded 1.4 bWAR in 2023 and 2024.
With Rob Refsnyder as the fourth outfielder and Roman Anthony lurking, the outfield, where Masa is restricted to left, was crowded with Wilyer Abreu, Jarren Duran, and Ceddanne “Nuf Cedd” Rafaela.
Yoshida was also recovering from shoulder surgery. Would a repair allow him to play again, since he only did once in 2024? That was the strategy.
Even though he could bat throughout Spring Training, he was unable to throw, which is a well-known outfielder’s primary responsibility.
However, his shoulder is feeling better now that the season is halfway over. And yesterday, he made his debut. at DH. Little steps, all of them. Another thing he did, though, was to take grounders first!
Naturally, moving to an infield corner position is not typical for a professional outfielder. And he’ll probably be the DH when he gets back to Boston, since the outfield is full and the DH is now a rotation with Romy Gonzalez and Abraham Toro, who have done a great job in Triston Casas’ place. However, what if he had an arrow in his quiver for first base? blowouts, extra innings, and injuries. In an emergency, break glass.
And you may wonder
Not quite tall enough to be a first baseman?
Casas stands 6’4″. Romy and Toro are both 6’0″. Similar to Bobby Dalbec and Mitch Moreland, Kristian Campbell is 6’3″ and might be a long-term option. 6’1″ Kevin Youkilis. Mike Napoli is the same. Alright, we have a few men in mind.
Masa is 5’8″.
Donovan Solano is the only player in 2025 who is 5’8″ or shorter who has appeared in at least three games at first base. He and Willie Calhoun shared the honor in 2024. It was Solano once more in 2023. For 2022, Solano and his longtime friend Christian Vázquez were it. Vázquez, Brock Holt \o/, and Tucker Barnhart are essentially together until 2014; Tomás Telis and Alberto Callaspo each appear briefly in one season.
Pedro Castallano in 1993 comes next. He played 34 games during the season.
It goes all the way back to 1973 with Vic Davalillo of the Oakland Athletics and Pittsburgh Pirates after a rookie season with the Colorado Rockies. After that, there is a trickle that dates back to the 1800s.
Can’t it? No. Is it strange? Definitely. particularly when Masataka Yoshida isn’t a third baseman, catcher, or utility player. He is not going to cross over. Since the Red Sox lost their season-ending starter, he is taking first base.
He probably doesn’t get to see an inning in the major leagues. Because he isn’t a defensive substitute, he might not even get much outfield play. But Duran or Anthony coming in after a few innings to start a game? It’s a little odd because they’re all left-handed. But undoubtedly a play by Alex Cora.
However, Masa’s contract is set to expire in 2027, so it’s feasible that this ability will be useful throughout the next two and a half seasons. When a team truly needs someone with an extra position, even in backup-to-the-backup status, it can be helpful, even as people grow healthier.