Before the start of the 2023 season, the Boston Red Sox signed outfielder/designated hitter Masataka Yoshida to a five-year, $90 million contract.
In his first campaign, he had a .783 OPS with 15 homers and 33 doubles in 140 games.
This year, however, he was off to a miserable start and is still hitting a rather disappointing .250/.333/.375.
On Wednesday, according to Red Sox insider Chris Cotillo, Yoshida talked to the press and expressed frustration at his decreasing playing time.
“Interesting media scrum with Yoshida in the clubhouse. He was very careful in choosing his words through a translator. There’s some clear frustration about this diminished role. Cora talks soon,” he tweeted.
Interesting media scrum with Yoshida in the clubhouse. He was very careful in choosing his words through a translator. There’s some clear frustration about this diminished role. Cora talks soon.
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) April 24, 2024
Yoshida, who isn’t in Wednesday’s lineup, has been absent from it in the last three games.
Rafael Devers, who recently returned from an injury, and Tyler O’Neill played in the designated hitter spot in the last couple of games.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora, per Cotillo, insisted that Yoshida is the everyday DH and they just had to use O’Neill and Devers in that spot the last couple days.
We are guessing Cora also saw the chance to give Yoshida a couple of days to clear his head.
At his best, Yoshida has the ability to be much, much better than what he has shown in 2024.
He needs to have the confidence of the manager, though.
After three days without starting, he had his doubts.
The skipper, however, has confirmed he remains a starter.
Since actions speak louder than words, we will have to see how the Red Sox lineup behaves in the next few days to see who was right.
