Masataka Yoshida made his long-awaited return to baseball with Triple-A Worcester, taking ground balls at first base during pregame activities. The Boston Red Sox outfielder has been sidelined all season due to shoulder surgery. WooSox manager Chad Tracy expressed optimism about Yoshida's performance at first base, noting his previous experience in high school. Yoshida's first game back saw him go 0-for-2 with a strikeout and a walk, but he was pleased to be back on the field after a lengthy recovery.

The 31-year-old Japanese player had a solid rookie season in 2023, contributing significantly to the Red Sox lineup. Although Yoshida has primarily played in the outfield, the Red Sox are exploring his versatility by testing him at first base. Yoshida stated that while he prefers to play in the outfield, he is open to the idea of adapting to a new position if it benefits the team.