Masataka

Yoshida

Anthony will get a few exhibition games under his belt with the Red Sox before joining Team USA for next month’s World Baseball Classic. The 21-year-old on-base machine’s perch atop Boston’s formidable lineup, which features offseason acquisition Willson Contreras in the heart of the order, makes it easy to project him as an impact fantasy contributor in the runs scored department. His ability to generate consistent hard contact, as evidenced by a 94.5 mph average exit velocity — the highest single-season mark by a hitter under the age of 22 in the Statcast era — portend immediate success at the highest level as a power-hitting table-setter. He’ll be an early-round pick in all fantasy drafts this spring. Here’s the full lineup: Anthony (RF), Ceddanne Rafaela (CF), Wilyer Abreu (DH), Contreras (1B), Masataka Yoshida (LF), Connor Wong (C), Andruw Monasterio (3B), Isiah Kiner-Falefa (SS) and Brendan Rodgers (2B).

Those were Yoshida’s only two plate appearances before he was lifted. The Red Sox would surely still like to find a taker for Yoshida, who is owed $36 million over the next two years, but he could still contribute as a DH if any of the team’s top four outfielders get hurt. While his .282/.337/.425 line in three years as a major leaguer isn’t quite what the Red Sox were hoping for when they signed him, it still amounts to a 109 OPS+.

There’s a shroud of mystery and uncertainty swirling around Casas as he continues to work his way back from last year’s serious knee injury. The Red Sox acquired veteran slugger Willson Contreras to take over at first base, which likely limits the former top prospect to DH until further notice. It’s too early to write Casas off completely since he’ll be just 26 years old on Opening Day but there are more questions than answers at this stage of his career. There should be some clarity regarding his immediate outlook and role based on how he performs in Grapefruit League action. He seems likely to open the year back in Triple-A Worcester but it wouldn’t be shocking to see him make Boston’s season-opening roster, especially if the Red Sox decide to move either Jarren Duran or Masataka Yoshida.

As a team, the Red Sox were only able to muster five hits against Yankees’ rookie right-hander Cam Schlittler and David Bednar in the ballgame, with Yoshida the only player to tally more than one. The 32-year-old finished the season sizzling at the plate, which should do well for his confidence — and the Red Sox’ faith in him — heading into the 2026 season. He still has three years and at least $37.2 million remaining on his deal with the Red Sox.

Yoshida found himself on the bench in each of the first two games of the series as the Yankees rolled out a pair of southpaws, but he’ll finally get a chance to make a serious impact on Thursday night against rookie right-hander Cam Schlittler. Here’s the full lineup that we’ll see from the Red Sox in Thursday’s elimination game: Jarren Duran (LF), Trevor Story (SS), Alex Bregman (3B), Masataka Yoshida (DH), Ceddanne Rafaela (CF), Nathaniel Lowe (1B), Carlos Narvaez (C), Wilyer Abreu (RF) and Romy Gonzalez (2B).

Yoshida came off the bench to line a two-run single to right-center field on the very first pitch he saw from Yankees reliever Luke Weaver, putting Boston ahead in the seventh after being shut out by Max Fried for six-plus frames. The 32-year-old finished the regular season on a high note with a strong late-September surge at the dish and that confidence has clearly carried over into the postseason.

Yoshida had collected two hits in four straight games now, putting him at .260/.302/.376 for the season. For some reason, he just loves facing the Blue Jays. Since arriving in MLB in 2023, he’s batted .361 with four homers in 25 games against Toronto.

Yoshida contributed a sacrifice fly during the Red Sox’ six-run rally off of Will Warren in the opening inning. He then singled in the third and fifth innings, but the Red Sox were unable to cash him in either time. With his two-hit night, the 32-year-old is now hitting .236/.285/.333 with two homers, 17 RBI and two stolen bases in 158 plate appearances on the season.

Yoshida drew a start in the leadoff spot in the Red Sox’ lineup as manager Alex Cora continues to search for consistency from that spot. He got the Red Sox on the board with an RBI single off of Brandon Pfaddt in the third inning, pulling them to within two runs at 3-1. That would be as close as they would get. Yoshida on the season is slashing an underwhelming .242/.294/.355 with two homers, 14 RBI and two stolen bases in his first 136 plate appearances.

Yoshida hasn’t provided a lot of reason for optimism this season, but tonight was impressive; both of his doubles were crushed at 109.7 and 107.6 mph. The first barely edged out his previous season-high EV of 109.6 mph. With Wilyer Abreu not returning soon and Roman Anthony possibly IL bound as well, Yoshida is going to remain in the Red Sox lineup most of the time, making him an option in deep leagues.