No matter how the Opening Day roster ultimately shakes out, the Red Sox won’t be able to reach their full potential if Masataka Yoshida is taking up the designated hitter spot every game.
Recognizing this, Red Sox manager Alex Cora has said on a number of occasions this offseason that Yoshida will have to play the field, and Tuesday he reaffirmed that stance to reporters in Fort Myers.
“Masa is going to be part of the picture, yeah. We’ve just got to get him going,” Cora said. “Like I said, last year he was a DH, this year we need him to play defense. It’s a different season.”
Yoshida primarily played left field during his first season with the Red Sox in 2023, but played exclusively as a DH last year. That move was partially made because the Red Sox had numerous superior defensive options in the outfield, including rookies Ceddanne Rafaela and Wilyer Abreu, but also because Yoshida was dealing with a shoulder injury throughout the season that limited his ability to throw.
Yoshida underwent a successful right shoulder labral repair immediately following the season and spent the winter in Boston rehabbing. He’s been swinging the bat for a few weeks now but just started playing catch on Monday.
Cora said it’s too soon to tell whether or not he’ll be ready in time for Opening Day.
“It’s a long process, it was a big surgery and he’s swinging right now,” Cora said. “He knows that we need him to play defense.”
For his part, Yoshida says he’s working hard on getting ready for the season and will give it his all no matter what role he ultimately fills.
“It’s out of my control. My job is to give my best to whatever my job calls for,” Yoshida said via interpreter Yutaro Yamaguchi. “If it’s to DH or to play outfield I’m going to give it my best, and I’m still here on this team, so I’m going to give it everything I’ve got for this team.”
Cora indicated that Triston Casas will play every day against both righties and lefties. The third-year first baseman had previously sat against lefties on occasion as he adjusted to MLB pitching. … Utility man Romy Gonzalez is taking grounders at first base and will be one of the primary backup options at that position. … Brayan Bello, who was briefly shut down due to shoulder soreness, played catch on Monday and is feeling good. … Outfielder Wilyer Abreu is out sick but is expected to return to action in the next few days.