Red Sox's Masataka Yoshida 'Most Likely' to Open MLB Season on Injured List, Cora Says

Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora confirmed on Tuesday that Masataka Yoshida "most likely" will start the 2025 season on the injured list as he continues to recover from an October labral repair shoulder surgery.

"I don't know how soon or when he's going to be ready," Cora told reporters, "but we have to be patient with that."

Once he returns, Yoshida is expected to play in the outfield, with Alex Bregman handling duties at third base and Rafael Devers in the designated hitter spot.

Yoshida has hit well in Spring Training (.321 batting average, .464 slugging percentage), but he's not yet ready to play the field. With Devers in the DH spot, Yoshida has no natural role for the Red Sox until he's cleared for outfield duties, where he'll be expected to split time with Ceddanne Rafaela, Jarren Duran and Wilyer Abreu.

In two seasons in Boston, Yoshida is hitting .285 with 25 homers, 128 RBI and a .775 OPS.

"He's one of the best hitters that we have," Cora said. "There's a reason he had surgery. We talked about it, and he wanted to play the outfield, too. He wanted to contribute there. ... I think he'll be OK. The bat plays. That's the most important thing."