Red Sox Get Great Injury Update on $90 Million Outfielder

After Yoshida took a cortisone shot a couple of weeks ago, he began ramping up his recovery. Now, Yoshida is throwing from 105 feet, a significant improvement from where he stood a month ago.

Bradford also reported that Yoshida has a timeline he's aiming for in his recovery. "(Yoshida) said his realistic goal is to be able to go on a rehab assignment later this month or early next month."

This is a great report for both the Red Sox and Yoshida. The 31-year-old is in the third year of a five-year, $90 million deal he signed in the 2023 offseason with Boston. His eventual return to the lineup would be a huge addition, even if he comes up from the bench.

In 2024, Yoshida played in 108 games, and had 106 hits, 45 runs scored, 21 doubles, 10 home runs, and 56 RBIs in 378 at-bats. His slash line of .280/.349/.415 culminated in an OPS of.765, and an above-average OPS+ of 114.

Yoshida's first two seasons average 1.4 WAR, and a .775 OPS. He's an above-average hitter, but hasn't lived up to the hype of his $90 million deal he signed coming out of Japan.

His return would make for a very crowded and talented outfield room. Jarren Duran, Ceddane Rafaela, Wilyer Abreu, Anthony, and Yoshida would make up one of the deepest outfield groups in all of baseball. His return could also pave the way for the Red Sox to more justifiably ship off one of their outfielders.

Regardless of the outcome of Yoshida's return, this update on his health is a welcome sign for the Red Sox and Yoshida. Yoshida is back on track to return to the lineup, and most importantly, Yoshida "feels a lot better."