Red Sox’s Masataka Yoshida drops injury timeline amid rehab

The Boston Red Sox are struggling as an anemic offensive output has led to a five-game losing streak. While players were quick to dismiss the notion that the Red Sox miss Rafael Devers’ production in the lineup, the numbers – and results – tell a different story. But help appears to be on the way for Boston after the latest Masataka Yoshida update.

Yoshida anticipates making his return to the Red Sox before the All-Star break, per The Athletic’s Jen McCaffrey. The third-year pro told reporters he’s eager to take the fields again after a lengthy injury layoff.

Red Sox hope Masataka Yoshida return sparks struggling offense

Yoshida opened the 2025 season on the 60-day injured list after undergoing surgery to repair a torn labrum last October. He experienced setbacks in his recovery during spring training but is now close to rejoining the team.

The Red Sox offered an encouraging update earlier this week, announcing that Yoshida is ready to go on a rehab assignment. A minor league stint is the final hurdle before he can be activated from the injured list.

Since the Devers trade, the Red Sox are at or near the bottom of the league in runs scored, RBI, batting average, on-base percentage and OPS. Boston’s offense has the second-highest strikeout percentage and second-lowest walks to strikeout ratio in that span.

The club hopes Yoshida can stabilize the offense. The Red Sox landed Yoshida in free agency ahead of the 2023 campaign. Over two seasons he’s slashed .285/.343/.433 with an OPS+ of 112. While he hasn’t produced flashy stats, he’s proven to be a consistent contact hitter who can get on base.

After splitting time between left field and designated hitter in his rookie season, Yoshida played almost exclusively at DH in 2024. But after signing Alex Bregman and moving Devers to designated hitter, the Red Sox planned on moving Yoshida to the outfield when he returned from the IL. Now that Devers has been shipped off to the San Francisco Giants, Boston is suddenly in need of an everyday DH. And Yoshida is expected to fill that role.

After winning 10 of 12 games earlier this month, the Red Sox have since lost five straight. They’re now 40-42 on the season and seven games back in the division.