Red Sox’s Alex Cora Shares Concerning Masataka Yoshida Injury Update
The Boston Red Sox kicked off the 2025 MLB season with a victory on Opening Day, but not all the news was positive. Outfielder and designated hitter Masataka Yoshida, who was working his way back from shoulder surgery, has encountered a setback in his rehab process.
Initially, Yoshida was slated to return early this season and was assigned to the Red Sox’s Triple-A affiliate to regain form before rejoining the major league roster. However, Red Sox manager Alex Cora provided a worrisome update on Thursday, revealing to MassLive’s Sean McAdams that Yoshida is now dealing with back soreness. As a result, he is being sent from Fort Myers to Boston for further evaluation.
“He has a sore back. He’s actually flying to Boston,” Cora said. “We were planning on keeping him in Fort Myers until he was ready to return to the outfield. But he’s going to fly up there, continue his rehab (for the shoulder) in Boston, and when he’s ready to play, he’ll join us.”
Cora did not specify when Yoshida sustained the injury or how long his recovery might take. Initially, the plan was for him to progress with minor league action in Fort Myers before making his return. However, with this new injury requiring further medical attention, his timeline for rejoining the Red Sox remains uncertain.
This setback could further delay Yoshida’s return, creating another hurdle in what has already been a slow start to the season for him. After a strong 2023 campaign, Yoshida’s production declined last year. He recorded a .280 batting average, a .349 on-base percentage, and a .415 slugging percentage, along with 45 runs, 106 hits, 10 home runs, 27 walks, and 52 strikeouts.
If his back issue turns out to be minor, Yoshida could resume his rehab and return sooner rather than later. However, if it requires extended recovery time, the Red Sox may have to wait even longer to see him back in action.
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