BOSTON — Manager Alex Cora and Masataka Yoshida had a conversation before the 31-year-old Japanese outfielder began his rehab assignment July 1.
Cora asked him how many minor league at-bats he needed.
“Two days,” Cora said Yoshida told him.
Yoshida’s rehab assignment was brief, although not as short as he apparently wanted it to be. It lasted five games and 17 plate appearances.
“Honestly, I wanted to come back sooner than today,” Yoshida said through translator Yutaro Yamaguchi.
He certainly looked ready in his 2025 debut Wednesday. He went 3-for-4 with a double, RBI single and one run to help lead the Red Sox to a 10-2 win over the Rockies at Fenway Park.
Yoshida missed Boston’s first 93 games following offseason shoulder surgery.
“We talk about the gap between the big leagues and Triple A. He feels like getting at-bats here is better than actually getting at-bats down there,” Cora said.
“It’s a different atmosphere, right? Yoshida added. “Even if I … do well in the minors, it doesn’t really reflect (what will happen) in the major leagues. It’s just a different atmosphere. So that’s why I felt I really didn’t need that (many) rehab games.”
Yoshida also used the Trajekt pitching machine, which simulates every major league pitcher’s windup and repertoire. The machine has helped many players shorten their rehab assignments and return quicker because of its real-game simulation.
On the third pitch of his first at-bat, Yoshida ripped a 96.2 mph fastball from Antonio Senzatela into center field for a single.
He hit an RBI single off first baseman Michael Toglia’s glove and into right field to put Boston ahead 2-0 in the fourth inning. He also doubled in the eighth and scored on Romy Gonzalez’s two-run homer that gave Boston a 7-2 lead.
“Happy to have Masa back. That’s a big at-bat for us,” Cora said. “You saw the difference today — how long the lineup was. And that’s without Ceddanne (Rafaela) in the lineup. We have to figure out who’s going to play and all that stuff. But I think it’s the deepest lineup we’ve had in a while here.”
Yoshida’s return was delayed because shoulder soreness affected his throwing. He showed in spring training the shoulder issue didn’t have much of an effect on his hitting. He appeared in 11 Grapefruit League games and batted .286 (10-for-35) with a homer and double.
But the Red Sox wanted him to be able to play the outfield before returning, especially with Rafael Devers serving as the everyday DH back then.
“He did a good job throughout the rehab, tracking pitches and the swing was always there,” Cora said. “He had a little setback at one point with his back when he went to Fort Myers. But the guy, he’s a good hitter. He’s a professional in every aspect.
“I was worried that he was going to be frustrated with the whole situation of him being able to hit and not being activated,” Cora added. “But I talked to (his translator) about that and he was like, ‘No, he’s not because he’s not ready.’ He wasn’t ready with his arm. We talk about the throwing. But the swing, yeah, it might have looked good but it wasn’t where it was supposed to be — and now it is. So we’re happy to have him back.”
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
