Year after playing 1 inning in OF, Yoshida prepping for increased reps

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Despite the whispers in the wind that have danced through the offseason and into Spring Training regarding Masataka Yoshida and his future with the Red Sox, he is poised to play, and play for Boston.

Where members of the 2025 Red Sox will line up has been a hot-button topic mere days into this year's camp, and not just at third base.

Yoshida, now entering his third season in Major League Baseball after coming over from Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan, will see time in the outfield this year, according to manager Alex Cora.

¡°[Yoshida] is going to be part of the picture,¡± Cora said Tuesday. ¡°We¡¯ve just got to get him going. Last year, he was a DH. This year, we need him to play defense. It¡¯s a different season.¡±

As a full-time designated hitter last year, Yoshida played just one inning in left field, compared to the 87 games he played in left the season prior.

The arrival of third baseman Alex Bregman could shift Rafael Devers to designated hitter, despite Devers¡¯ preference to remain at third. If Devers were to see time as the team¡¯s DH, the domino effect would impact Yoshida¡¯s plate appearances.

¡°It¡¯s out of my control,¡± Yoshida said via interpreter Yutaro Yamaguchi on Tuesday following team workouts. ¡°We haven't had communication on that yet. I¡¯ll play where they want me to play.¡±

Yoshida underwent a successful right shoulder labral repair last October and has played light catch this week.

¡°It¡¯s a long process. It was a big, big surgery,¡± Cora said. ¡°He¡¯s swinging right now, and he knows that we need him to play defense.¡±

On Wednesday, Yoshida ran through fielding drills with the outfielders in left, working against the Green Monster at JetBlue Park. He even played a carom perfectly off of the wall, working back toward the infield after recognizing the ball was going to scrape the Monster to put himself in the right position to play the ricochet.

Yoshida also worked on his hitting on the field instead of in the cage, barreling balls to the opposite field, center and right.

¡°In terms of hitting, I feel 100 percent with my swing,¡± Yoshida said. ¡°In terms of throwing, I just started throwing outside, so we¡¯ll see how that goes.¡±

When asked if he thinks he¡¯ll be ready for Opening Day, Yoshida said, ¡°[I¡¯m] just trying to get more reps. Trying to get myself ready for Opening Day. That¡¯s the plan. Trying to get more playing time, more at-bats, just doing everything I can to get myself ready.¡±

Yoshida said it¡¯s going to be a ¡°different rhythm¡± coming out of the dugout to the outfield this year, but that¡¯s something he¡¯s looking forward to.

When it comes to managing Yoshida¡¯s shoulder, Cora said it¡¯s all about being patient, and that he¡¯s not quite ready for live at-bats.

¡°But the swing looks good,¡± Cora said of Yoshida¡¯s batting sessions.

This offseason, the 31-year-old Yoshida stayed in Boston rather than going back to Japan because his family loved being in the city. Yoshida said he saw first-hand the four seasons Boston offers, similar to Japan, and that he and his family enjoyed a lobster roll and Quincy Market.

Home cooking is just what Yoshida needs this year, as his production has drawn some criticism in his first two seasons with the club.

Over 108 games in 2024, the lefty hitter batted .280 with 10 home runs and 56 RBIs. Yoshida batted .292 in 52 games at Fenway last season, recording 54 hits.

Yoshida got hot in July and August, hitting .333 and .326, respectively. He hit .299 with a .453 slugging percentage after the All-Star break, but cooled off in September.

In an outfield comprised of Jarren Duran, Ceddanne Rafaela and Wilyer Abreu, Yoshida will most often see time against right-handed pitchers, against whom he hit .310 last season. He also performed well against AL East foes, hitting .274, and he drove in 12 runs against the Yankees, the most of any team he faced in 2024.

With a potentially ¡°four's a crowd¡± situation, Yoshida said he¡¯s not thinking of playing anywhere else.

¡°My job is to give it all and my best,¡± Yoshida said. ¡°Whatever my job calls for ¨C if it¡¯s to DH or play the outfield ¨C I¡¯m just giving my best. I¡¯m still here on this team. I¡¯m giving everything I¡¯ve got for this team.¡±