Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora provided updates on a pair of outfielders on Tuesday afternoon, ahead of the team’s game against the Colorado Rockies.
Cora told reporters Masataka Yoshida is expected to be activated from the injured list on Wednesday, per Alex Speier of The Boston Globe. While Yoshida’s return could further muddy an already crowded group of outfielders, Cora said rookie Roman Anthony will remain in the lineup on a regular basis.
Yoshida has yet to play with Boston in 2025 as he recovers from a shoulder issue. He’s appeared in five rehab games between Double-A Portland and Triple-A Worcester and went 4-for-14 with two walks and two strikeouts.
Anthony was called up for his much-anticipated debut June 9 and got off to a rough start, going just 5-for-44 over his first 15 contests. However, the 2022 second-round pick has been on fire in his last 10 games. He is 17-for-44 with six extra-base hits, including his second home run on Monday (his first at Fenway Park).
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With Yoshida joining Anthony, Ceddanne Rafaela, Jarren Duran, Rob Refsnyder and Wilyer Abreu in the Red Sox outfield, Cora will have a tall task in filling out his lineup card. One of the quintet will likely serve as designated hitter in most contests and it wouldn’t be surprising to see Boston make a move involving one of the players before the MLB trade deadline July 31.
Anthony has served as the team’s designated hitter in nine contests since being promoted while lining up in right field 15 times and left field once.
According to Tim Healey of The Boston Globe, Cora said on Tuesday the rookie had a “good chance” of playing left field on Wednesday with Yoshida expected to be the designated hitter.
