Masataka Yoshida is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment with the Worcester Red Sox, the Triple-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, on Tuesday, July 1.
Since the 2025 MLB season began in March, Yoshida has been on the injured list. He underwent surgery to repair a right shoulder labral tear in October 2024.
Boston manager Alex Cora said the time is right for Yoshida, a left fielder/designated hitter, to take the next step toward returning to the major leagues.
"The swing feels great," Cora was quoted as saying by multiple Boston media outlets on June 28. "The throwing has been a lot better, being able to bounce back. We just have to map it out — how many games in the [outfield vs designated hitter].
"In the end, when the hitting feels comfortable, he'll be with us."
The Worcester RedSox, aka WooSox, face the Syracuse Mets on Tuesday.
Yoshida, 31, coped with shoulder pain during the 2024 MLB season. He only played one game in the outfield.
Team management wants him to be available as a designated hitter and a left fielder.
After serving as DH in 11 games during spring training (he hit .286) in March, Yoshida hasn't played in a regular-season game yet in 2025.
While recovering from shoulder surgery, Yoshida was unable to make throws from the outfield during spring training, according to published reports.
As a result, Yoshida began the season on the injured list.
Masataka Yoshida Says He's Ready to Play
Time away from competition has helped Yoshida's physical condition improve over the past few months.
"It's been a little bit longer than I expected," Yoshida said through an interpreter recently, according to MassLive.com. "My goal was to be ready by Opening Day when I got the surgery, but it's been a long process. But overall, I think I'm in good shape and ready to go."
Before starting his injury rehab assignment, Yoshida told reporters that he hopes to return to Boston before the All-Star break starts on July 14.
Although he hasn't had at-bats in a game since spring training in March, the left-handed batter, did face live pitching at Boston's training complex in Fort Myers, Florida, in April and May, MassLive.com reported. And in recent weeks, he's been hitting against a pitching robot.
"After spring training, it's been a while since I faced live pitchers, but I've been using Trajekt, hitting off of it, and trying to get my timing down," Yoshida said, according to MassLive.com. "I think it just comes down to getting myself adjusted to major league pitching at the end of the day."
In the Middle of a 5-Year Deal
A four-time All-Star and a two-time Pacific League batting champion with NPB's Orix Buffaloes, Yoshida signed a five-year contract with the Red Sox in December 2022.
Yoshida appeared in 140 games in his first season with the Red Sox. He hit .289 with 15 home runs and 72 RBIs in 2023.
In 2024, he batted .280 with 10 homers and 56 RBIs in 108 games.
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Author: Ed Odeven
Find Ed on JAPAN Forward's dedicated website, SportsLook. Follow his [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven.
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