Red Sox Outfielder Has Something To Prove During Stretch Run

It’s time for the next man up on the Boston Red Sox with rookie outfielder Roman Anthony landing on the injured list after suffering an oblique strain. Will that person be Masataka Yoshida?

MLB.com asked its beat writers to answer the following question: Who has the most at stake as September gets into full swing?

The answer is Yoshida, according to MLB.com’s Ian Browne.

“Yoshida has had an uneven first three years in the Major Leagues,” Browne wrote. “In his rookie year, he thrived until hitting a wall the last two months of the season. Last season, he battled injuries and missed time but had some hot streaks mixed in.

“In 2025, he quite simply hasn’t been able to get much going at the plate since his activation just prior to the All-Star break. If Yoshida is going to be part of manager Alex Cora’s playing mix down the stretch and into October, he needs to start producing,” Browne concluded.

Yoshida is part of a crowded outfield picture, even with Anthony likely sidelined for the rest of the regular season. The former Japanese star missed the first half of the season while working his way back from surgery to repair his right shoulder.

When in the lineup, Yoshida’s production has been spotty at best. He’s hitting a career-low .242 in 36 games this season. With just two home runs, Yoshida still hasn’t found his power at the plate. The 32-year-old has career lows in slugging percentage (.358) and OPS (.654).

The Red Sox signed Yoshida to a five-year, $90 million contract in December of 2022.

According to Spotrac, he’s under contract for two more seasons, making $18.6 million each year.