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Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Boston Red Sox' Masataka Yoshida told Alex Cora he needed ‘two days'
BOSTON — Manager Alex Cora and Masataka Yoshida had a conversation before the 31-year-old Japanese outfielder began his rehab assignment July 1. Cora asked him how many minor league at-bats he needed. 'Two days,' Cora said Yoshida told him. Yoshida's rehab assignment was brief, although not as short as he apparently wanted it to be. It lasted five games and 17 plate appearances. 'Honestly, I wanted to come back sooner than today,' Yoshida said through translator Yutaro Yamaguchi. He certainly looked ready in his 2025 debut Wednesday. He went 3-for-4 with a double, RBI single and one run to help lead the Red Sox to a 10-2 win over the Rockies at Fenway Park. Yoshida missed Boston's first 93 games following offseason shoulder surgery. 'We talk about the gap between the big leagues and Triple A. He feels like getting at-bats here is better than actually getting at-bats down there,' Cora said. 'It's a different atmosphere, right? Yoshida added. 'Even if I ... do well in the minors, it doesn't really reflect (what will happen) in the major leagues. It's just a different atmosphere. So that's why I felt I really didn't need that (many) rehab games.' Yoshida also used the Trajekt pitching machine, which simulates every major league pitcher's windup and repertoire. The machine has helped many players shorten their rehab assignments and return quicker because of its real-game simulation. On the third pitch of his first at-bat, Yoshida ripped a 96.2 mph fastball from Antonio Senzatela into center field for a single. He hit an RBI single off first baseman Michael Toglia's glove and into right field to put Boston ahead 2-0 in the fourth inning. He also doubled in the eighth and scored on Romy Gonzalez's two-run homer that gave Boston a 7-2 lead. 'Happy to have Masa back. That's a big at-bat for us,' Cora said. 'You saw the difference today — how long the lineup was. And that's without Ceddanne (Rafaela) in the lineup. We have to figure out who's going to play and all that stuff. But I think it's the deepest lineup we've had in a while here.' Yoshida's return was delayed because shoulder soreness affected his throwing. He showed in spring training the shoulder issue didn't have much of an effect on his hitting. He appeared in 11 Grapefruit League games and batted .286 (10-for-35) with a homer and double. But the Red Sox wanted him to be able to play the outfield before returning, especially with Rafael Devers serving as the everyday DH back then. 'He did a good job throughout the rehab, tracking pitches and the swing was always there,' Cora said. 'He had a little setback at one point with his back when he went to Fort Myers. But the guy, he's a good hitter. He's a professional in every aspect. 'I was worried that he was going to be frustrated with the whole situation of him being able to hit and not being activated,' Cora added. 'But I talked to (his translator) about that and he was like, 'No, he's not because he's not ready.' He wasn't ready with his arm. We talk about the throwing. But the swing, yeah, it might have looked good but it wasn't where it was supposed to be — and now it is. So we're happy to have him back.' More Red Sox coverage MLB insider floats Red Sox trade to build 'elite setup-closer combination' Red Sox' playtime is over as schedule gets far more challenging | Sean McAdam Boston Red Sox hurler shouts out teammates for 'huge' play Red Sox' Lucas Giolito closes out first half of season on upswing Red Sox reactions: Starter dominates again, offense crushes 4 homers in win Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Red Sox' Alex Bregman confident that return to action is near
BOSTON — Alex Bregman isn't exactly sure when he'll rejoin the Red Sox. That's a determination that will come after he huddles with team officials and members of the training staff, perhaps as early as Tuesday. On Monday afternoon, manager Alex Cora only half-jokingly said if the decision were up to Bregman, the infielder would have already returned. Advertisement But of this much Bregman is sure — it won't be long now. 'I'm trending towards a return here really quickly,' said Bregman after the Red Sox bashed the Colorado Rockies, 9-3. 'Whether it's the end of this week or the first game after the break — one of those two. But hoping that it will be the end of this week." Bregman, who suffered a strained right quad injury on the final weekend of May, and the team have discussed a return to the active roster without benefit of a minor league rehab assignment and that remains very much on the table. 'I don't know, I think we're going to talk about it as a group,' said Bregman. 'I think we still have to have another discussion tomorrow, but I feel like I can go and play (with the parent club as soon he's cleared).' Advertisement Bregman shared that he had never before come off an IL stint and returned to play at the big league level without first undertaking a minor league rehab assignment. But he's confident he can pull it off. 'My legs feels really good and I swung the bat really well today,' said Bregman. 'I don't know, I feel like I can do it...I'm feeling really good. The rehab has gone amazing. I'm super thankful for our training staff, rehab staff and strength and conditioning staff I've been working with. Hopefully, I'll be back playing in uniform here pretty soon.' Prior to Monday's game, Bregman went through a complete workout with running and hitting on the field and plans to keep intensifying that progression the rest of this week. He's used the Trajekt machine to hit high velocity pitches, taken ground balls in the field, and run full-effort sprints. There's little that he hasn't done in his effort to return. Advertisement 'I feel like we've touched a lot of stuff,' said Bregman, 'and I feel like the volume has been really high, honestly. For example, today's volume was probably higher than what I'd get in three games worth of volume.' Even when he does return — be it this week or next — the Sox will need to ease him back in. It's unlikely he'll play consecutive games right away and may not even be ready to take on a nine-inning workload. 'I think there's going to be some sort of build-up,' Bregman said. 'I don't think we're just going to go play every day the rest of the year right away. I feel like we'll take it day-by-day and follow what (Cora) and our training staff have planned.' Bregman learned Sunday that he had been chosen to take part in the All-Star Game for the first time since 2019, and felt humbled be named. Advertisement 'Tremendous honor,' said Bregman. 'Obviously, to be selected by my peers was a huge honor. I'm just super appreciative. A lot of hard work has gone into it. I'm super pumped.' But Bregman said he can't envision a scenario where he takes part in the game, which takes place in Atlanta on July 15. He'll either be a few games into his return to the Sox, or about to make his return, and wouldn't want to put that in jeopardy. 'I don't think so,' he said of his game participation. 'Maybe I'll be fortunate enough to take my son to the Home Run Derby or something. But for me, with the timing of everything, I think what I need to is hopefully be back playing by the end of this week and use the All-Star break to continue to build up and work on my leg and make sure we just continue the progression the right way. 'I'll be focused on my rehab at this point; hopefully, it will be just maintaining and being active at that point. We'll see.' Advertisement More Red Sox coverage Read the original article on MassLive.
Japan Forward
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Japan Forward
Masataka Yoshida Set to Start Triple-A Rehab Assignment with Worcester
Boston Red Sox outfielder/designated hitter Masataka Yoshida has been sidelined while recovering from offseason surgery on his right shoulder. Boston Red Sox slugger Masataka Yoshida in an August 2024 file photo. (©Brian Fluharty/USA TODAY SPORTS/via REUTERS) Masataka Yoshida is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment with the Worcester Red Sox, the Triple-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, on Tuesday, July 1. Since the 2025 MLB season began in March, Yoshida has been on the injured list. He underwent surgery to repair a right shoulder labral tear in October 2024. Boston manager Alex Cora said the time is right for Yoshida, a left fielder/designated hitter, to take the next step toward returning to the major leagues. "The swing feels great," Cora was quoted as saying by multiple Boston media outlets on June 28. "The throwing has been a lot better, being able to bounce back. We just have to map it out — how many games in the [outfield vs designated hitter]. "In the end, when the hitting feels comfortable, he'll be with us." The Worcester RedSox, aka WooSox, face the Syracuse Mets on Tuesday. Yoshida, 31, coped with shoulder pain during the 2024 MLB season. He only played one game in the outfield. Team management wants him to be available as a designated hitter and a left fielder. After serving as DH in 11 games during spring training (he hit .286) in March, Yoshida hasn't played in a regular-season game yet in 2025. While recovering from shoulder surgery, Yoshida was unable to make throws from the outfield during spring training, according to published reports. As a result, Yoshida began the season on the injured list. Masataka Yoshida (GETTY IMAGES/via KYODO) Time away from competition has helped Yoshida's physical condition improve over the past few months. "It's been a little bit longer than I expected," Yoshida said through an interpreter recently, according to "My goal was to be ready by Opening Day when I got the surgery, but it's been a long process. But overall, I think I'm in good shape and ready to go." Before starting his injury rehab assignment, Yoshida told reporters that he hopes to return to Boston before the All-Star break starts on July 14. Although he hasn't had at-bats in a game since spring training in March, the left-handed batter, did face live pitching at Boston's training complex in Fort Myers, Florida, in April and May, reported. And in recent weeks, he's been hitting against a pitching robot. "After spring training, it's been a while since I faced live pitchers, but I've been using Trajekt, hitting off of it, and trying to get my timing down," Yoshida said, according to "I think it just comes down to getting myself adjusted to major league pitching at the end of the day." A four-time All-Star and a two-time Pacific League batting champion with NPB's Orix Buffaloes, Yoshida signed a five-year contract with the Red Sox in December 2022. Yoshida appeared in 140 games in his first season with the Red Sox. He hit .289 with 15 home runs and 72 RBIs in 2023. In 2024, he batted .280 with 10 homers and 56 RBIs in 108 games. Author: Ed Odeven Find Ed on JAPAN Forward' s dedicated website, SportsLook . Follow his [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven .
New York Post
16-06-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
Max Fried's valuable Yankees streak ends as gem is outdone by Red Sox starter
Access the Yankees beat like never before Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Greg Joyce about the inside buzz on the Yankees. Try it free BOSTON — Unless Max Fried was going to pick up a bat, there was not much more he could have done to help the Yankees on Sunday afternoon at Fenway Park. But the left-hander, who had been especially good when pitching after a Yankees loss, was still left beating himself up essentially for not being perfect in a 2-0 loss to the Red Sox in which he gave up just two runs across seven innings. 'The way I see it is I needed to come out and be a little bit better and be able to match [Red Sox starter Brayan Bello],' Fried said. 'He was throwing a lot of zeros and in a game like that, I got to come out and be better and match him for those zeros.' Bello stifled the Yankees across seven shutout innings while Fried gave up a single run in the first inning and another in the fifth. Max Fried reacts during the Yankees-Red Sox game on June 15, 2025. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST Entering Sunday, the Yankees were 8-0 in Fried's starts following a loss. He had given up just five earned runs in 54 innings during those starts. But they could not rely on Fried alone Sunday as their bats went silent. 'Gave us seven strong, he did everything he needed to do to give us a chance to win a ballgame,' manager Aaron Boone said. In the bottom of the first, after Fried had erased Anthony Volpe's fielding error by getting a double play ball, Romy Gonzalez extended the inning with a triple to right field. Trevor Story blooped a single to left to bring him in for the 1-0 lead. Rafael Devers doubled the lead in the fifth inning, sneaking a solo home run just over the Green Monster. Fried said his 94 mph fastball missed the location he wanted — J.C. Escarra was set up on the inside edge and instead the pitch caught too much of the plate, though the lefty said he 'didn't hate where it ended up.' Max Fried pitches during the Yankees-Red Sox game on June 15, 2025. AP 'Put it in a spot where a really good hitter was able to hit the ball hard enough,' Fried said. 'If I locate that in the area I want, I think the result's probably a little bit better.' Fried, who scattered six hits and two walks while striking out nine on a season-high 106 pitches, finished the day with a 1.89 ERA. 'I would say it's a good club over there,' he said. 'They're putting together really good at-bats and seem to have a really good plan. They were able to get two runs and made me work all day. A lot of deep counts. It was definitely a good battle.' Giancarlo Stanton spent Sunday at Yankee Stadium, with Angels pitchers loaded up on the Trajekt pitching machine to simulate the arms he will be facing this week when he comes off the injured list. The Yankees expect to activate Stanton on either Monday or Tuesday to make his season debut after missing the first two and a half months of the season with tendinitis in both elbows. The Yankees are 8-11 against the AL East and 34-16 against every other team
Hamilton Spectator
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Blue Jays infielder Michael Stefanic embracing role of ‘grimy' player: ‘I love the way he plays the game'
When Michael Stefanic first got the call-up from Triple-A Buffalo to join the Blue Jays earlier this month, manager John Schneider described him as a 'grimy' baseball player who'd do anything and everything to help his team win. He also said that Stefanic reminds him of a slightly shorter Ernie Clement, but with a more defined beard. Both assessments are just fine by Stefanic, the soft-spoken, 29-year-old from Boise, Idaho who has scratched and clawed his way to 272 major-league plate appearances since signing with the Los Angeles Angels as an undrafted free agent in the summer of 2018. 'Ever since spring training, Ernie has been my guy,' the infielder told the Star in a recent interview. 'Obviously, he can pick the heck out of it and swing it, too.' The Clement comparison is a serendipitous one, seeing as the two have gotten close since his call-up, playing cards and chatting about golf between workouts and sessions in the batting cage. The Jays are building a culture by coming out for the anthems as a team. And they just happen to be winning while they do it. The Jays are building a culture by coming out for the anthems as a team. And they just happen to be winning while they do it. 'I love the way he plays the game,' Clement said, adding he takes it as a compliment that Schneider compared the two. 'I think he's shown that he can get the job done even though he's not playing every day.' Clement, who spent the early stages of his career bouncing between the minors and majors with Cleveland, knows the feeling of not knowing when his next at-bat will come. He said Stefanic has navigated the assignment well, despite the limited playing time. 'It's one of the hardest jobs to do in baseball,' Clement said. 'I've had to do it, I've failed at it really bad and I've had some success. You've got to stick around long enough to find what works and he's done that, whether it's in the ninth inning pinch-hitting or going in to play defence, and I think everybody trusts him to get that done.' The two are also similar hitters, at least when it comes to making contact; while Clement has consistently logged above-average contact rates and rarely strikes out, Stefanic has also made solid and consistent contact. Now in his fourth big-league season, Stefanic says he's taking a more methodical approach, using the team's Trajekt machine — an advanced pitching machine that allows hitters to dial in specific pitches and arm angles to simulate in-game scenarios — to prepare for late-game situations. 'I didn't take as much advantage of that with the Angels as I should have. I felt unprepared at times, and that was my own fault,' Stefanic admitted. His impact on the Blue Jays has been minimal — he's logged just 13 plate appearances in a handful of games heading into Tuesday night, but he has three hits and a walk. His presence has been so unnoticeable that a Blue Jays staffer mistakenly called him 'Miles Stefanic' when announcing his entry into a game last week against San Diego as a late-inning replacement. With Gimenez hurt, Ernie Clement, Addison Barger and Nathan Lukes have all proven to be more valuable at a fraction of the cost. With Gimenez hurt, Ernie Clement, Addison Barger and Nathan Lukes have all proven to be more valuable at a fraction of the cost. He was also called upon to pitch in a 13-0 blowout loss to the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday, a job often bestowed upon the team's most dispensable player. (He retired the side in order on just seven pitches, then singled in the next half-inning.) His stint in Toronto may be short-lived — he was called up as a temporary replacement for Andrés Giménez, who is on the injured list with a quad strain earlier this month and could return as early as next week — but Stefanic says he's soaking it all in and enjoying the camaraderie of the Blue Jays clubhouse. 'Everybody's pulling for each other,' he said. 'That's an amazing thing to see.'
