Just before their series finale against the New York Mets, the Boston Red Sox issued an update on Masataka Yoshida’s recovery progress.
Christopher Smith of MassLive reported that Yoshida began throwing on May 21 as part of his recovery from offseason labrum surgery. He had been shut down from throwing since he got a cortisone shot on May 4.
The designated hitter-turned-outfielder played catch from 60 feet at Fenway Park. The distance will increase as he works through his throwing program to eventually take up a position in the outfield — where is anyone’s guess. The Red Sox have Jarren Duran, Wilyer Abreu, Ceddanne Rafaela, Rob Refsnyder and Roman Anthony gunning for three outfield spots.
A Red Sox pitcher is also moving toward his return to action. Richard Fitts was slated to make a rehab start in the WooSox’s May 22 game, which was postponed due to soggy weather. Instead, he’ll start for the Double-A Sea Dogs in Portland.
Red Sox Injury Update: Masataka Yoshida, Richard Fitts rehab, Romy González setback
Fitts has been sidelined with a pectoral strain since April 13, and Boston’s rotation has been feeling his absence. Tanner Houck’s struggles and subsequent IL stint have left the Sox’s staff on the thinner side, and Fitts’ return will give the team considerable depth it’s lacked since his absence began.
Fitts has pitched to a 3.18 ERA over 17 innings across his first three starts. Boston’s rotation is currently packed with Garrett Crochet, Brayan Bello, Lucas Giolito, Walker Buehler and Hunter Dobbins, but it may option Dobbins upon Fitts’ return to keep him fresher for his next potential depth start.
In less positive injury news, Romy González has experienced a setback in his recovery from a left quad contusion and will miss more time than initially expected.
González has been on the 10-day IL since May 8 after he collided with Rangers interim first baseman Josh Smith while running out a grounder. González had just taken over as Boston’s first baseman in the wake of Triston Casas’ season-ending injury, and the team has turned to Abraham Toro and Nick Sogard while he recovers. Sogard has been solid at first base, despite playing just 45 innings there in his minor league career. He owns a .986 fielding percentage with the Sox.
González is batting .308/.362/.423 with six doubles and six RBI over 17 games. Not only is he more reliable at the plate than Sogard and Toro, but he’s valuable as a utility player. Boston has also begun working Kristian Campbell out at first base, and he’ll become another option if González’s recovery continues to drag.
