Red Sox Confirm Plan For Masataka Yoshida’s Return

It won’t be long before Masataka Yoshida returns to the Boston Red Sox.

Yoshida has missed the entire 2025 season recovering from shoulder surgery, but the designated hitter began a rehab appearance with Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday. The 31-year-old said he felt “100 percent after playing in the WooSox’s outfield.

Barring any setbacks, Yoshida’s season debut is imminent. Red Sox manager Alex Cora told reporters Saturday, per the Boston Globe’s Tim Healey, that they expect to activate Yoshida during next week’s homestand before the All-Star break.

Cora’s timeline doesn’t offer an exact return date, as the Red Sox play seven games at Fenway Park from July 7 to 13. It’s unclear if they’ll bring Yoshida off the injured list in time to face the Colorado Rockies or wait until their American League East series against the Tampa Bay Rays.

The next question: Where will the Red Sox play Yoshida?

Cora has previously indicated that he could platoon the left-handed Yoshida with the right-handed Rob Refsnyder at DH. However, a crowded lineup may complicate that plan.

Yoshida is unlikely to boot a healthy Jarren Duran, Ceddane Rafaela or Wilyer Abreu from Boston’s outfield. Roman Anthony has spent of his recent time at DH, and the hotshot rookie has diminished the chances of a demotion by batting 11-of-29 with four doubles in his last seven games.

Boston opened the door for a creative pivot by having Yoshida take “light” pre-game reps at first base during his rehab stint. Yet it’s probably not a solution anytime soon, as he’s never played a single inning at the position.

“I mean, it’s hard to say. I only got reps in practice,” Yoshida said of playing first base, adding that it could be an “option” moving forward.

Regardless of where he plays, it’d behoove Boston to get Yoshida’s bat in the lineup. He’s a career .285/.343/.433 hitter in two seasons with the Red Sox and wields an .810 OPS against righties.