Red Sox star Masataka Yoshida can't be confined to the bench much longer originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.The Boston Red Sox’ offense has been quite shaky this season, but they have had a few key players who have hit the ground running. One of those players is the star DH Masataka Yoshida, who recently hit a walk-off RBI single in extra innings to win a game against the Detroit Tigers.However, Yoshida has not been in the starting lineup for a majority of games.
Red Sox beat reporter Marino Pepen noticed this, and thinks Boston can’t keep him out as a regular starter for much longer. MORE: Red Sox top prospect Payton Tolle is the logical replacement after latest Sonny Gray injury news“He has been a starter in 9 of 22 games. His performance is screaming for more playing time,” Pepen posted on X.So far this season, Yoshida has played in 14 games, where’s slashed .324/.477/.412/.889 with three doubles, and five RBI.
He also has that aforementioned walk-off in a pinch-hit situation. MORE: Why Bryan Abreu’s ceiling as a closer makes him the perfect Edwin Diaz replacementThe Red Sox signed Yoshida in 2023 to a five-year, $90 million deal. For his career, he’s hit .283/.342/.425/.766 with 29 home runs and 159 RBI.
So, it looks like this is Yoshida’s breakout season. Now, the Sox need to put him in the everyday lineup, or they use this jump in stats to trade him at the deadline. Either way, they need to do something, as keeping someone this hot confined to the bench benefits no one.MORE MLB NEWSBlockbuster Angels trade idea sees Los Angeles land $115 million Cy Young, create powerful 1-2 punch with Jose SorianoPhillies All-Star Alec Bohm receives huge trade update after his ice cold streak to start 2026 season, Philadelphia's own bad startAstros All-Star Isaac Paredes receives substantial trade update due Houston's infield logjam, bad start to 2026 season