Red Sox injury luck continues with Masataka Yoshida scratch

Red Sox outfielder Masataka Yoshida was scratched from Wednesday’s game due to what the team official called hamstring tightness.

Boston Red Sox’s Masataka Yoshida will not play in Wednesday night’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays after sustaining a hamstring injury.

According to Red Sox manager Alex Cora, Yoshida didn’t feel 100 percent while running on Tuesday.

Cora said : “Obviously, if it’s later in the season probably we’ll push him to do it (play) and he’ll be okay to do it, but doesn’t make sense playing him tonight.”

Yoshida could make a return by Friday for Boston’s first game of the series against the Los Angeles Angels, but until then, the team will continue to monitor the slugger’s health closely.

Red Sox’s Masataka Yoshida has hamstring tightness, scratched from Wednesday game

Boston acquired Yoshida from Japan’s Pacific League last December, inking him to a five-year, $90 million deal.

Following an incredible showing at the World Baseball Classic, Yoshida’s stock has dropped a bit in 10 games to start the 2023 season.

The 29-year-old has hit just one home run and six RBI, and he’s slashing just .216/.356/.324, a near career-low.

Boston took a gamble on Yoshida last year, choosing to pursue the star slugger from Japan rather than more proven, All-Star-caliber players — for all his potential, Yoshida has never hit more than 30 homers during his seven seasons in Japan.

What exactly can the Red Sox expect moving forward? At best, Yoshida may be able to help the team replace the production of shortstop Xander Bogaerts, who now plays in San Diego, though he’ll have to reduce his astronomically high groundball rate, among other adjustments.

Yoshida’s early struggles in the majors may only be part of the natural learning curve, or they may be part of a larger growing concern. Getting him healthy is the first step, and hopefully the rest will follow.