Masataka Yoshida returns to action: Makes rehab start with Triple-A Worcester, fields first base grounders pregame

WORCESTER — Masataka Yoshida played in his first baseball game since spring training on Wednesday.

But it was where the Red Sox rehabbe r played pregame that sparked the most intrigue.

Yoshida, who has been on Boston’s injured list all season while recovering from a right shoulder labral repair performed in October, took ground balls at first base ahead of Triple-A Worcester’s first game of a doubleheader at Polar Park.

“I thought he looked pretty smooth,” WooSox manager Chad Tracy said. “He hasn’t obviously played there (in professional baseball), he’s played there before he said back when he was younger. So it looked like a guy who had an idea of what he was doing.”

Although there are no plans for Yoshida to play first base with the WooSox (he has been tentatively scheduled to play in left field Thursday), Tracy said the Red Sox asked the Triple-A club to work out their rehabbing outfielder/designated hitter at a new position while he was still in Worcester.

“We’ll see what they do,” Tracy said.

During the game, Yoshida went 0 for 2 with a strikeout and walk during his first rehab appearance of the year. He was happy to get through his first rehab stint without any issues to his shoulder.

“It’s been a while since I faced a live pitcher,” Yoshida said, through translator Yutaro Yamaguchi. “But I was able to see a lot of pitches, and overall, it was good.”

Appearing in 11 spring training games with the Boston Red Sox , Yoshida served as designated hitter and slashed .286 with a home run and seven RBIs in March. But the 31-year-old from Japan has not appear in any regular-season games with Boston this season after being placed on the 10-day injured list on March 27.

He was transferred to the 60-day IL on May 22.

After signing a five-year, $90-million deal with the Red Sox in December 2022, Yoshida had a fine first season with the club in 2023 — hitting .289 in 140 games with 15 home runs, 72 RBIs, 71 runs and 8 stolen bases. He finished sixth in the American League Rookie of the Year voting after leading AL rookies in hits (155), doubles (33) and average.

The popular Yoshida then followed that by batting .280 in 108 games with 10 homers, 56 RBIs and 45 runs last season. He missed six weeks with a left thumb strain suffered at the end of April and played in two rehab games with the WooSox at Polar Park last June.

During his first season with the Red Sox, Yoshida played 87 games in left field and 49 as the designated hitter. In 2024, he was used as the DH in 101 games and played just one game in left field.

As for taking grounders at first base pregame Wednesday, Yoshida was a bit coy about his plans (and if there are any) moving forward with the new position. He said he did play first base in high school.

“It’s hard to say, I only got the reps in practice, so I just got to see in a game how I feel,” he said, before adding, “We haven’t talked about (playing first base) yet, but it’s an option going forward, for sure.”

As for what position Yoshida would prefer, if it were up to him?

“That’s a tough question,” he said, before taking a brief pause. “Obviously, I have the most reps in the outfield. So if I have to pick one, probably the outfield, just based on all the reps I’ve taken in the big leagues.”

Yoshida is expected to play left field for the WooSox on Thursday after serving as designated hitter — and taking grounders at first base pregame — for the WooSox Wednesday.

He’s hoping to return to the Boston Red Sox soon and help the big-league club get back into the playoff chase.

“I just want to get back out there as soon as I can,” Yoshida said. “A lot of people have supported me and helped me along the way, so really thankful for them, and I just want to deliver good results for these people who have supported me along the way.”

—Contact Tommy Cassell at tcassell@telegram.com . Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @tommycassell44.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: 'We'll see what they do': Masataka Yoshida makes rehab start with Triple-A Worcester, takes grounders at first base pregame