The Boston Red Sox are aiming for Opening Day as the return date for star designated hitter (DH) Masataka Yoshida, according to Ian Browne. This announcement follows Yoshida’s surgery on his right labrum, which took place on October 3rd.
Yoshida had a solid season despite facing injuries that limited his play. He participated in approximately two-thirds of the games, achieving a batting average of .280 with an on-base percentage of .349, a slugging percentage of .415, and an impressive .765 OPS. Additionally, he recorded 21 doubles, 10 home runs, and 56 runs batted in (RBI).
Throughout the season, Yoshida exclusively played as a DH. This differs from the previous year when he also played in the outfield, which may have affected his trade value. Suffering an injury in a position typically considered less physically demanding raises concerns about his future in the league.
This marks the second significant injury for Yoshida, who also dealt with a thumb injury last season. With trade rumors surrounding him this offseason, the recent surgery could complicate potential deals, making it harder for the Red Sox to move him if they decide to go that route.
