Red Sox Could Get Creative To Fill Designated Hitter Spot

The Boston Red Sox have a hole at designated hitter following the departure of Rafael Devers. The now San Francisco Giant played each of Boston’s first 73 games, hitting .272 with 15 home runs.

The Red Sox know they need to replace that offensive output somehow, and they could get creative to do so. Alex Cora spoke to the media prior to Tuesday’s game and offered one solution.

According to MLB.com’s Ian Browne, Cora spoke “enthusiastically” about using Masataka Yoshida and Rob Refsnyder in a platoon at designated hitter.

Yoshida is yet to play this season as he recovers from an injury, but the Red Sox could accelerate his timeline to get him back in the lineup.

The left-handed hitting DH excels against right-handed pitching. He’s a career .300 hitter against them with 20 home runs. His ability to put the ball in play could also be very beneficial to a Red Sox lineup that strikes out often. Yoshida’s strikeout rate against righties is 13.4%, well below the league average.

Left-handed pitchers have nightmares about Rob Refsnyder. His 168 wRC+ against southpaws is 14th among qualified hitters. He’s hit righties well this season as well, although he’s been better against lefties for his career.

It’s unclear when Yoshida could be ready to return to the lineup, but he was able to hit DH in spring training. He’ll likely take at-bats in the minor leagues to find his timing before returning to the Boston lineup.