Masataka Yoshida’s Return to Red Sox in Serious Doubt
Masataka Yoshida’s comeback to the Red Sox may not just be postponed — it could be in serious jeopardy.
The 31-year-old outfielder is still dealing with soreness in his right shoulder, and according to manager Alex Cora, he might soon head to Boston for further evaluation. Cora shared the update ahead of Tuesday’s game in Toronto, revealing growing concern within the organization over Yoshida’s recovery from offseason labral surgery.
“This week, the throwing hasn’t gone well,” Cora said at Rogers Centre, as reported by MassLive’s Christopher Smith. “There’s a chance he could be in Boston when we return.”
Yoshida has been rehabbing at JetBlue Park in Fort Myers but is still not ready for a minor league rehab assignment. Cora said that head athletic trainer Brandon Henry wants to assess him personally, adding that “this week hasn’t been great.”
It’s another setback in a rocky stint with the Red Sox for Yoshida. He hit .286 with one home run during a short spring training run (11 games), but he was limited to designated hitter duties last season. That option is now off the table, with Rafael Devers cemented as Boston’s DH — meaning Yoshida would need to return as an outfielder. With his shoulder still troubling him, that scenario looks less likely by the day.
An Expensive Player Without a Clear Role
Even if Yoshida were fully healthy, his fit on the roster would remain questionable. As Boston Globe columnist Peter Abraham recently pointed out, the team doesn’t need another left-handed-hitting DH — or even another lefty bat. While Yoshida was shown alongside fellow outfielders Rob Refsnyder and Jarren Duran during spring training, there’s no obvious spot for him in the current lineup. The Red Sox still owe Yoshida and infielder Trevor Story a combined $124 million through 2027.
While Story has gotten off to a strong start — possibly fending off top prospect Marcelo Mayer’s pressure — it’s Yoshida whose future looks increasingly uncertain.
“At some point, the Sox might have to cut their losses and eat a significant portion of Yoshida’s remaining salary to move him,” Abraham wrote. He added that the same might eventually apply to Story if Mayer continues to surge in Triple-A.
Yoshida’s five-year, $90 million deal was one of former chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom’s boldest and most criticized signings. At the time, anonymous MLB executives told ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel they were baffled by the deal — with one saying, “I have no words.”
Time hasn’t softened those critiques. The Red Sox reportedly tried to shop Yoshida this offseason, offering him in a trade package with Triston Casas to Seattle — but the Mariners declined.
Now, Yoshida is not just a questionable fit on the roster — he’s a costly liability. If his shoulder doesn’t heal and he can’t return to the outfield, Boston may find itself stuck with a highly paid player who doesn’t have a role, even if he eventually gets healthy.