The Boston Red Sox’s offense took a hit in early May without Triston Casas and Masataka Yoshida in the lineup. Unfortunately, Yoshida won’t be returning soon, as expected with Casas.
Yoshida, who jammed his hand during an at-bat on April 28, was placed on the 10-day injured list on April 29. The injury was later identified as a thumb issue.
After consulting three doctors, it was determined that Yoshida does not need surgery. However, he will be out for an extended period. According to Chris Cotillo of MassLive, Yoshida has been fully shut down and is not participating in baseball activities. The Red Sox will reassess his condition in a few weeks.
Initially, the Red Sox anticipated a short stint on the IL for Yoshida, but his recovery has taken longer than expected. Manager Alex Cora expressed concern after Yoshida left the April 28 game, though Yoshida was initially optimistic about his recovery.
Yoshida’s performance had been improving before his injury. He posted a .275/.348/.388 slash line with two home runs in 24 games, including a .318 average in his last 13 games.
If Yoshida is cleared to return after his reevaluation, his comeback could coincide with Casas’, who aims to come off the 60-day IL on June 21. Both players have a keen eye and consistent batting skills, which could significantly impact the Red Sox’s season upon their return.
