Masataka Yoshida recently had surgery to repair the labrum in his right shoulder, as announced by the Red Sox. The 31-year-old missed the last two games of the regular season while considering how to address the shoulder soreness he had experienced throughout the year. After the season, he underwent an MRI, and the results led both him and the Red Sox to conclude that surgery was necessary.
The Red Sox characterized the procedure as “successful,” but it remains unclear how this will affect Yoshida’s recovery timeline. Typically, position players recovering from labrum repair take about four to six months to return.
Yoshida’s injury is in his throwing shoulder, but since he primarily serves as a designated hitter and bats left-handed, he may have a shorter recovery timeline. If his recovery aligns with McLain’s initial timeline, he could be back in action by next March.
Yoshida’s 2024 season was challenging, marked by injury issues and limited playing time. Tensions reportedly arose between him and the Red Sox due to his pursuit of outside opinions for a thumb injury, which conflicted with the team’s wishes, and his dissatisfaction with being restricted to a platoon DH role when healthy.
Given his injury struggles, defensive limitations, and poor performance against left-handed pitchers, Yoshida’s start in Boston has not been ideal. A change of scenery might benefit him, but his recent surgery and the $55.8 million left on his contract through 2027 could complicate any potential trade.
If he stays with the Red Sox next season, it’s unlikely his role will change significantly. The team boasts two strong defensive corner outfielders, Jarren Duran in left field and Wilyer Abreu in right. While Duran can also play center, top prospect Ceddanne Rafaela is better suited as an elite defensive center fielder and needs consistent playing time to improve offensively.
Offensively, Yoshida will need to gradually reclaim his playing time against left-handed pitchers. He had a wRC+ of 103 against lefties in 2023 but struggled with a 58 wRC+ against them in 2024. With at least four left-handed batters likely in the everyday lineup next year—Rafael Devers, Triston Casas, Duran, and Abreu—manager Alex Cora may prefer to replace Yoshida with a right-handed hitter at DH.
To secure a regular spot in the Red Sox lineup for 2025, Yoshida will need to recover quickly over the offseason and come to spring training prepared to address his offensive and defensive weaknesses.
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