Masataka Yoshida

Masataka Yoshida

31-Year-Old DHDH
Boston Red Sox
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.
Activated ahead of season debut
DHBoston Red Sox
July 9, 2025
The Red Sox activated Yoshida (shoulder) from the 60-day injured list Wednesday.
Analysis
Yoshida is finally ready to make his season debut for the Red Sox after a long recovery from offseason surgery on his right shoulder. The 31-year-old will start at designated hitter and will bat sixth in Wednesday's game versus righty Antonio Senzatela and the Rockies. Yoshida might have to get off to a good start if he wants to see regular playing time, as the Red Sox have lots of mouths to feed between the outfield and DH.
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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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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
Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Masataka Yoshida See More
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
Likely returning Wednesday
DHBoston Red Sox
Shoulder
July 7, 2025
Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Monday that Yoshida (shoulder) will "most likely" be activated from the 60-day injured list Wednesday, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.
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Returning during homestand
DHBoston Red Sox
Shoulder
July 5, 2025
Manager Alex Cora said Saturday that Yoshida (shoulder) will return from the injured list during Boston's upcoming homestand, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.
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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.
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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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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Preparing for 1B duties?
DHBoston Red Sox
July 5, 2025
Yoshida, who's rehabbing from a shoulder injury, is expected to work on first base drills before returning to the big-league roster, according to Sean McAdam and Chris Cotillo of MassLive.
Analysis
Alex Cora talked about Yoshida's work at first base, and while he's not expected to start at that position any time soon, the Red Sox are preparing him for an emergency. "I don't anticipate him starting at first base," Cora said, "but if something crazy happens, at least he can catch throws and knock down a ground ball." Yoshida has played the outfield exclusively throughout his career, both in Japan and stateside.
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