12:46 pm: In accordance with Ian Browne of MLB.com, the Purple Sox are hoping Yoshida might be again within the lineup and able to play on Opening Day.
11:44 am: Masataka Yoshida had surgical procedure to restore the labrum in his proper shoulder earlier this month, the Purple Sox introduced. The 31-year-old sat out the ultimate two video games of the common season as he contemplated handle the shoulder soreness that had bothered him for a lot of the yr. He underwent an MRI after the season, and evidently, the outcomes satisfied him and the Purple Sox that surgical procedure was one of the best plan of action.
The Purple Sox described the process as “profitable,” although it’s unclear what meaning concerning Yoshida’s timeline to return. The same old restoration interval for place gamers who bear a labrum restore is someplace between 4 to 6 months. Reds infielder Matt McLain had labral restore surgical procedure this previous March and initially hoped to return in August earlier than struggling a setback. In the meantime, Padres shortstop Ha-Seong Kim had a labrum restore of his personal this offseason, and he’s hoping to return someday between mid-April and early Could. Kim’s anticipated timeline is barely longer than McLain’s, nevertheless it’s value noting that Kim’s damage was in his throwing shoulder whereas McLain’s was not. Yoshida’s damage can also be in his throwing shoulder, however as a delegated hitter and a left-handed batter, maybe his restoration timeline might be on the shorter finish of the spectrum. If his timeline is much like McLain’s unique aim, he might be able to return to sport motion someday subsequent March.
The 2024 season was difficult for Yoshida by way of each his damage standing and enjoying time. There was reportedly rigidity all year long between Yoshida and the Purple Sox, each as a result of he sought exterior opinions concerning a thumb damage towards the group’s needs and since he was sad to be restricted to a platoon DH function when wholesome. Thus, between his damage troubles, defensive shortcomings, and poor efficiency towards left-handed pitching, to not point out any behind-the-scenes rigidity, Yoshida’s tenure in Boston hasn’t gotten off to the strongest begin. It’s honest to marvel if a change of surroundings would do him some good, though his latest surgical procedure and the $55.8MM remaining on his contract by way of 2027 might make a commerce tough to place collectively.
If Yoshida stays with the Purple Sox subsequent season, it’s arduous to think about his function altering all that a lot. Boston has two of one of the best defensive nook outfielders within the league, with Jarren Duran manning left subject and Wilyer Abreu masking proper. Duran can play middle as nicely, however former prime prospect Ceddanne Rafaela is way extra precious as an elite defensive middle fielder than a stopgap shortstop, and he wants common enjoying time if he’s going to enhance on the plate. On the offensive aspect of issues, Yoshida goes to want to slowly earn again enjoying time towards left-handed pitchers; he put up a 103 wRC+ towards lefties in 2023 however a dreadful 58 wRC+ towards southpaws in 2024. Contemplating the Purple Sox will have already got at the least 4 lefty batters within the on a regular basis lineup subsequent yr – Rafael Devers, Triston Casas, Duran, and Abreu – it’s comprehensible why Cora would possibly want to sub out Yoshida for a right-handed bat at DH. Thus, if Yoshida desires to be an on a regular basis participant for the Purple Sox in 2025, he’ll must make a fast restoration over the offseason and are available to camp prepared to deal with his weaknesses on the plate and within the subject.
