Fantasy News

• Red Sox's Masataka Yoshida: Absent from lineup again

  Rotowire Apr 25, 2024

  Yoshida is out of the lineup for Thursday's game in Cleveland. Red Sox manager Alex Cora insisted prior to Wednesday's game against the Guardians that Yoshida was still the team's everyday designated hitter. However, he's now out of the lineup for a third straight contest and for the sixth time in eight games, with all but one of those absences coming versus righties. Rafael Devers will start at DH again Thursday as he comes back from a knee issue, and Yoshida presumably will be back in the lineup once Devers is ready to return to third base. Clearly, the club has little faith in Yoshida's glove, as he's played just one inning in left field this season.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Red Sox's Masataka Yoshida: Still viewed as everyday DH

  Rotowire Apr 24, 2024

  Red Sox manager Alex Cora said prior to Wednesday's 8-0 win over the Guardians that Yoshida is still viewed as the team's primary designated hitter, despite being on the bench for two straight matchups with right-handed starting pitchers, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports. "He's an everyday DH, man," Cora said of Yoshida. "I don't know what the big deal is. [Tyler] O'Neill had to DH [on Tuesday]. [Rafael Devers] had to DH [on Wednesday]." Yoshida's consecutive absences from the lineup created some question regarding whether the 30-year-old was still viewed as an everyday player after struggling to a .250/.333/.375 slash line through the Red Sox's first 24 games of the season, but Cora dispelled the notion that Yoshida's role was being downsized. The skipper noted that the Red Sox's injury situation was largely responsible for Yoshida being excluded from the lineup, as O'Neill was limited to DH duties when he came off the 7-day injured list ahead of Tuesday's 4-1 loss, and Devers was eased back in as a DH on Wednesday after having not played in a week due to a bone bruise in his left knee. O'Neill returned to his usual spot in left field Wednesday, but Devers may need another day or two as a DH before the Red Sox clear him to play third base. Since the Red Sox aren't keen on having Yoshida play in the corner outfield, he could miss out on more starts until Devers is back at third base on a full-time basis.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Red Sox's Masataka Yoshida: Not starting Tuesday

  Rotowire Apr 23, 2024

  Yoshida is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game at Cleveland, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports. Yoshida sat Sunday against a left-handed starter and is on the bench again Tuesday with righty Ben Lively on the mound for the Guardians. Tyler O'Neill (concussion) is back from the injured list and starting at designated hitter.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Red Sox's Masataka Yoshida: Slugs second homer

  Rotowire Apr 20, 2024

  Yoshida went 3-for-4 with a double and a two-run home run in Saturday's 4-2 win over the Pirates. The 30-year-old outfielder took Mitch Keller deep in the sixth inning for Boston's final runs. Yoshida has only two homers on the season, but they've both come in his last five games. On the campaign, he's slashing .250/.325/.375 with nine runs and 10 RBI in 20 contests.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Red Sox's Masataka Yoshida: Sitting in second straight

  Rotowire Apr 18, 2024

  Yoshida is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Guardians, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports. The lefty-hitting Yoshida now finds himself out of the lineup for the second day in a row, with both absences coming against right-handed pitchers. While the Red Sox haven't indicated that Yoshida is dealing with an injury, the consecutive absences as Boston has played shorthanded in Cleveland with both Tyler O'Neill (forehead) and Rafael Devers (knee) missing time suggests the 30-year-old might be banged up to some degree. Even if the Red Sox don't provide an update on Yoshida following Thursday's game, fantasy managers will still want to keep tabs on his status heading into this weekend's series in Pittsburgh.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Red Sox's Masataka Yoshida: Resting Wednesday

  Rotowire Apr 17, 2024

  Yoshida isn't in the Red Sox's lineup for Wednesday's game against the Guardians, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports. Yoshida will get a chance to clear his head Wednesday after going 0-for-10 across the first two games of the series. His absence will move Rafael Devers into the DH spot while Pablo Reyes starts at third base and bats eighth.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Red Sox's Masataka Yoshida: Seeing time in OF

  Rotowire Mar 24, 2024

  Yoshida started in left field and went 1-for-4 in Saturday's spring game against Minnesota. Yoshida, who is expected to serve as the primary designated hitter this season, has started in left field five times in his last six spring games. That's partially due to Tyler O'Neill's lingering calf issue. O'Neill has not played the field since March 14, although the team believes he'll be ready for full duty by Opening Day, per Peter Abraham of The Boston Globe. Yoshida is 9-for-44 (.205) with five doubles, a home run and six RBI over 16 spring games.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Red Sox's Masataka Yoshida: Underwent jaw surgery last fall

  Rotowire Feb 29, 2024

  Yoshida revealed recently that he underwent surgery last fall on his jaw to correct temporomandibular joint dysfunction, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports. It's an issue which Yoshida had for a few years and led to headaches and other discomfort. He now feels much better after the procedure. Yoshida noted that it affected him more with everyday tasks and not necessarily while he was playing baseball, but it can't hurt his outlook now that he's more comfortable. He's slated to be Boston's primary designated hitter this season.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Red Sox's Masataka Yoshida: Expected to be primary DH

  Rotowire Feb 13, 2024

  Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Tuesday that he expects Yoshida to receive the majority of the at-bats at designated hitter, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports. It's the direction things have been pointing after Yoshida struggled defensively in left field in his first year in Boston. Tyler O'Neill is slated to play left field for the Red Sox, while Wilyer Abreu looks like the early favorite to handle right field, at least against right-handed pitching. Yoshida slashed .289/.338/.445 with 15 home runs in 2023 but had just a .663 OPS after the All-Star break.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Red Sox's Masataka Yoshida: On bench again Monday

  Rotowire Sep 18, 2023

  Yoshida is not in the lineup for Monday's game against the Rangers, according to Alex Speier of The Boston Globe. Yoshida has not opened a game against a left-handed starter since Aug. 17, and with Boston facing a southpaw for the second time is as many games, Yoshida will work as a reserve for a second straight day.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Red Sox's Masataka Yoshida: Taking seat for first game

  Rotowire Sep 14, 2023

  Yoshida is not in the lineup for the first game of Thursday's doubleheader against the Yankees, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports. Wilyer Abreu will be in left field for the afternoon contest. Expect Yoshida back in the lineup for the second game of the double dip.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Red Sox's Masataka Yoshida: Sitting out night game

  Rotowire Sep 12, 2023

  Yoshida is not in the lineup for Game 2 of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Yankees. Yoshida heads to the bench after going 0-for-4 with a walk in the day game. Rob Refsnyder is getting the start in left field with lefty Carlos Rodon starting for New York.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Red Sox's Masataka Yoshida: Out of lineup Sunday

  Rotowire Sep 10, 2023

  Yoshida is not in the lineup Sunday against the Orioles. Wilyer Abreu, Ceddanne Rafaela and Alex Verdugo will start across the outfield as Justin Turner serves as Boston's designated hitter. This looks to be a routine day of rest for Yoshida, who went 3-for-6 with three singles and two runs scored in Saturday's loss to Baltimore.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Red Sox's Masataka Yoshida: Clobbers three-run homer

  Rotowire Sep 4, 2023

  Yoshida went 2-for-4 with a three-run home run in Sunday's 7-3 victory over the Royals. Yoshida plated Justin Turner and Tristan Casas on a three-run shot in the fourth inning off Zack Greinke for the outfielder's 14th long ball of 2023. The outing broke Yoshida out of a mini-slump, entering Sunday's game 1-for-9 across his last three games. Through 120 appearances, Yoshida is slashing .296/.350/.462 and is striking out at a 12.3 percent clip.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Red Sox's Masataka Yoshida: Coming off bench Sunday

  Rotowire Aug 27, 2023

  Yoshida is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Dodgers, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports. Though the lefty-hitting Yoshida will be on the bench for the second straight game while the Dodgers open the game with left-hander Caleb Ferguson on the mound, the rookie outfielder could make an early appearance off the bench. Right-hander Gavin Stone is expected to take over once Ferguson exits the contest, at which point Yoshida could be called upon to replace Justin Turner at designated hitter or Adam Duvall in left field.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Red Sox's Masataka Yoshida: Not in Saturday's lineup

  Rotowire Aug 26, 2023

  Yoshida will not start Saturday's game against the Dodgers, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports. Yoshida has had a near-everyday role for most of the season, but his off day here against Julio Urias means he's now sat against two of the last three southpaws the Red Sox have faced. Yoshida hasn't shown any splits whatsoever in his first MLB season, posting an identical 115 wRC+ against both lefties and righties, but given that he's slumped to a .206/.219/.284 line over his last 26 games, it makes sense that Boston would want to give him a few more days off, with those off days likely to come against same-sided pitching. Rob Refsnyder starts in left field.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Red Sox's Masataka Yoshida: Takes seat Wednesday

  Rotowire Aug 23, 2023

  Yoshida is absent from the lineup Wednesday at Houston. Justin Turner will occupy the designated-hitter role for the visiting Red Sox and Wilyer Abreu will start in left field. Yoshida appears to be getting a scheduled day off after going 1-for-5 with a single in Tuesday's loss to the Astros. He boasts a .295/.349/.459 batting line with 13 home runs, 61 RBI, eight stolen bases and 61 runs scored through his first 111 major-league games.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Red Sox's Masataka Yoshida: Homers, drives in four

  Rotowire Aug 18, 2023

  Yoshida went 2-for-4 with a homer and four RBI in Friday's 8-3 win over the Yankees. Yoshida put an exclamation point on the Red Sox' four-run first inning, finding the short porch in right field at Yankee Stadium when he ripped a three-run blast off Jhony Brito. He plated another run in the second with an RBI single. Yoshida was on the bench for back-to-back games earlier this week as he battled through an August slump, but he's now tallied two straight multi-hit efforts, and his four RBI on Friday more than doubled his total for the month.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Red Sox's Masataka Yoshida: Sitting again Wednesday

  Rotowire Aug 16, 2023

  Yoshida remains out of the lineup Wednesday versus the Nationals. Rob Refsnyder, Adam Duvall and Alex Verdugo will start across the outfield as the Red Sox take on left-hander MacKenzie Gore. Justin Turner is filling the DH role. Yoshida, who also sat Tuesday with a right-hander on the mound for Washington, has slashed just .252/.278/.398 in 108 plate appearances since the All-Star break.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Red Sox's Masataka Yoshida: Taking seat Tuesday

  Rotowire Aug 15, 2023

  Yoshida is absent from the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Nationals, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports. The Nats are starting right-hander Josiah Gray, but the left-handed hitting Yoshida nonetheless will find himself on the bench to begin the game. Jarren Duran will be in left field.

  ... See More ... See Less