With Masataka Yoshida set to return from the 60-day injured list on Wednesday, the Boston Red Sox had to make a tough decision to clear a roster spot for him.

According to Chris Cotillo of MassLive, the Red Sox reportedly demoted outfielder/third baseman Nate Eaton to Triple-A Worcester following their 10-2 win over the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday night.

The Red Sox have sent down Nate Eaton to clear a spot for Masataka Yoshida’s impending return, sources say.

— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) July 9, 2025

Eaton went 0-for-3 with a strikeout out of the leadoff spot before being replaced at third base by Marcelo Mayer, dropping his batting line to .250/.296/.333.

The 28-year-old will return to Worcester, where he spent much of the first half. He was promoted after the Rafael Devers trade in mid-June, appearing in 14 of Boston’s last 19 games.

Despite hitting safely in three of his last four games and providing speed and defensive versatility, someone needed to be removed from the Red Sox’s roster to make room for Yoshida. Unfortunately for Eaton, he was deemed the odd man out.

Yoshida has yet to play for Boston this season after undergoing offseason shoulder surgery last fall. He recently completed a five-game rehab assignment and has been working out with the Red Sox over the last few days in preparation for his return.

With Eaton out, Yoshida is expected to be activated from the injured list on Wednesday and make his season debut in the series finale against the Rockies. That will give him a few games to try to get back in the swing of things before the All-Star Break.