Masataka Yoshida

Masataka Yoshida

31-Year-Old DHDH
Boston Red Sox
60-Day IL
Injury Shoulder
Est. Return 7/18/2025
2025 Fantasy Outlook
Yoshida got caught in a numbers game in 2024 - too many lefty hitters, too many left fielders - and was a DH for all but one game. An early thumb injury had him seeking second and third opinions, and he underwent shoulder surgery following the season. In between, Yoshida was a serviceable contact hitter, slashing .280/.349/.415 with 10 home runs, 56 RBI and a 12.4 strikeout percentage. Two years into a five-year deal, the Red Sox are realizing Yoshida is not only limited defensively but doesn't hit for power, despite a higher fly-ball percentage and launch angle in 2024. He also experienced a significant drop-off against lefties, falling from a .746 OPS to .565. Boston's involvement in the failed pursuit of Juan Soto suggests the club wants a more powerful roster, particularly from the right side, and a more functional one, where manager Alex Cora can rotate players at DH. Read Past Outlooks
RANKS
Rest of Season From Preseason
#408
ADP
Signed a five-year, $90 million contract with the Red Sox in December of 2022.
Begins rehab assignment
DHBoston Red Sox
Shoulder
July 3, 2025
Yoshida (shoulder) went 0-for-2 with a walk for Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday.
Analysis
Yoshida kicked off a rehab assignment with the WooSox, serving as the DH and playing all seven innings in the first game of a doubleheader. Given his lengthy stint on the injured list, Yoshida may be given the maximum time allowed (20 days) before before being activated. It's unclear if there will be a regular role for Yoshida when he returns, particularly as Boston looks to get at-bats for top prospect Roman Anthony.
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Batting Stats
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2025 MLB Game Log
2025
2024
2023
2025 MLB Game Log
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2024 MLB Game Log
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2023 MLB Game Log
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Left/Right Batting Splits
Since 2023
 
 
+21%
OPS vs RHP
2025
No Stats
2024
 
 
+47%
OPS vs RHP
2023
 
 
+7%
OPS vs RHP
OPS PA R HR RBI SB AVG OBP SLG
Since 2023vs Left .669 252 21 5 33 1 .239 .317 .351
Since 2023vs Right .810 749 95 20 95 9 .300 .351 .459
2025vs Left 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2025vs Right 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2024vs Left .565 108 7 2 14 0 .191 .278 .287
2024vs Right .832 313 38 8 42 2 .310 .374 .458
2023vs Left .746 144 14 3 19 1 .273 .347 .398
2023vs Right .795 436 57 12 53 7 .293 .335 .460
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Home/Away Batting Splits
Since 2023
 
 
+10%
OPS at Home
2025
No Stats
2024
 
 
+6%
OPS at Home
2023
 
 
+13%
OPS at Home
OPS PA R HR RBI SB AVG OBP SLG
Since 2023Home .814 484 66 10 63 5 .300 .360 .455
Since 2023Away .740 517 50 15 65 5 .272 .327 .413
2025Home 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2025Away 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2024Home .786 206 24 4 27 1 .292 .359 .427
2024Away .744 215 21 6 29 1 .269 .340 .404
2023Home .834 278 42 6 36 4 .306 .360 .475
2023Away .736 302 29 9 36 4 .273 .318 .418
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Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Masataka Yoshida See More
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Past Fantasy Outlooks
2024
2023
Yoshida's first season in MLB came mostly as advertised. His exceptional contact rate carried over, but the rest of his game is still a work in progress. Yoshida recorded ample homers and steals to have reasonable hopes he improves in his second season. An area he can improve immediately is on-base skills. In Japan, Yoshida routinely posted double-digit walk rates, but he worked a free pass just 5.9% of the time in his rookie campaign. Only six of his 15 homers came at home, though 21 of his 33 doubles were in Fenway Park. This makes sense since Yoshida's flyball rate was just 26.9 percent. He swiped eight bases, but wasn't caught, suggesting he could run a little more. Yoshida's defense in left field was below par, which is an issue since his bat doesn't play as a full-time designated hitter. Still, Boston will continue to play Yoshida nearly every day, sitting him against some southpaws despite displaying limited platoon splits. He offers a strong batting average floor, with 20 homers and 15 stolen base upside.
Yoshida's appeal to the Red Sox, who signed him to a five-year, $90 million deal, likely centered around his ability to make contact. Across seven NPB seasons, the outfielder struck out just 9.4 percent of the time and hit .327. Those numbers were even better last year, when he rode an 8.1 K% to a .335/.447/.561 slash line and helped the Orix Buffaloes to a title. That contact ability should help him produce a solid or better average against MLB pitching, but whether he'll do enough else to live up to that free agent contract remains a question, as he offers very little with his glove and legs. His outstanding on-base ability could get him there, as he finished second among qualified NPB hitters in both strikeout rate and walk rate (15.7%) last season. He also has decent enough power, averaging 22 homers across the last five years, but it's possible he is more of a 10-to-15 homer guy against MLB pitching. His contract guarantees him significant playing time early on with Boston, but Yoshida is not a sure thing beyond his ability to hit for a high average.
More Fantasy News
Getting test run at first base
DHBoston Red Sox
Shoulder
July 2, 2025
The Red Sox plan to give Yoshida (shoulder) some "light work" at first base during his rehab assignment, Sean McAdam and Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com report.
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Cleared to start rehab assignment
DHBoston Red Sox
Shoulder
June 28, 2025
Red Sox manager Alex Cora said that Yoshida (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Worcester on Tuesday, Ken Powtak of the Associated Press reports.
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Rehab assignment pending
DHBoston Red Sox
Shoulder
June 27, 2025
Yoshida (shoulder) could begin a rehab assignment Tuesday, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.
Analysis
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Season debut could be 'sped up'
DHBoston Red Sox
Shoulder
June 17, 2025
Manager Alex Cora said Tuesday that Yoshida's (shoulder) return from the 60-day injured list could be expedited after the Red Sox traded Rafael Devers to the Giants on Sunday, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports. "We're going to meet [Tuesday or Wednesday] to go over a few things. Let's see if we can speed up the process," Cora said, in reference to when Yoshida might make his 2025 debut. "He can swing the bat. Now it's a matter of him getting at-bats and all that. But at the same time, respecting the rehab of the shoulder. So we'll decide that sooner rather than later."
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Making throws from outfield
DHBoston Red Sox
Shoulder
June 14, 2025
Yoshida (shoulder) began throwing from left field to second base Thursday, MLB.com reports.
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
New push to trade?
DHBoston Red Sox
February 16, 2025
The Red Sox could look to trade Yoshida after signing Alex Bregman, per Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald.
Analysis
Boston explored trade possibilities for Yoshida earlier in the offseason and could make a renewed effort after making a big splash in free agency. The 31-year-old was limited to 108 games last season due to shoulder issues and had a .280/.349/.415 slash line with 10 home runs and 56 RBI. Yoshida has three years and $55.8 million remaining on his contract.
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