Surprise Twist Could Fix Red Sox’s Biggest Hole

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Boston Red Sox outfielder Masataka Yoshida

If there’s a silver lining to the revolving door at first base for the Boston Red Sox this season, it might just be taking unexpected grounders in Worcester.

Masataka Yoshida , Boston’s $90 million swing experiment , was spotted fielding ground balls at first base with the Woo Sox this week. Suddenly, the Red Sox might have stumbled onto a way to squeeze more value out of a bat they still desperately need to work.

Yoshida’s 5-year deal was always about the hit tool. He arrived from Japan billed as a pure contact machine and on-base monster, a lefty stick with a knack for finding barrels. And in the first two seasons, the results have been favorable … when he’s healthy.

During his two seasons, Yoshida has slashed .285/.343/.433, with 25 home runs and 128 RBIs in 248 games. He had surgery on his right shoulder after the 2024 season was not cleared to take live batting practice until February 26.

Masataka Yoshida Takes Grounders at First Base Ahead of Game at Worcester

The injury did not impair Yoshida’s ability to swing a bat, and he hit well in spring training. But with Yoshida’s throwing limited, the Red Sox decided against using him as a designated hitter, putting Yoshida on a rehab program to build up his throwing arm. Yoshida is three games into a rehab assignment, and he played in the outfield for one game while DH’ing the others.

On Wednesday, Tommy Cassell, a local sports reporter, posted a video to X (formerly Twitter) of Yoshida taking groundballs ahead of the game at Polar Park. Chris Cotillo of MassLive shared the post, offering some extra news on the subject:

“Checked in on this: I’m told Red Sox are planning to get Yoshida some “light work” pregame at first base during his rehab assignment while they have the time but are prioritizing DH and outfield, as you’d expect. As of now, it’s not likely he gets into games at 1B. But they’ll see how it goes.”

The Red Sox’s willingness to try Yoshida at first base underscores their frustration with the poor production from those who’ve failed to fill the position effectively.

Boston Would Benefit From Masataka Yoshida’s Production at First Base

It’s been just over two months since Triston Casas suffered the knee injury that ended his season on May 2. Boston was hoping that Casas would be able to play first base on an every-game basis this season, but he only played in 28 games.

Since losing Casas, Abraham Toro has filled in the most, playing 37 games. Romy Gonzalez has played 29 games at first, and Nick Sogard played 11. The offense from that trio has been pretty light,

Getting Yoshida’s production from that spot would be beneficial for a team still clinging to playoff hopes. At 44-45 overall , Boston is 6.5 games behind the New York Yankees in the American League East, and 2.5 games out of the final wild card spot.

Dave Benson Dave Benson is a longtime writer with over three decades of experience in a variety of mediums, including 15 years covering high school, collegiate and minor league sports in the St. Louis metropolitan area. Dave is also a licensed English teacher and spent a few years teaching at the middle school level. More about Dave Benson