Red Sox roster moves: Masataka Yoshida active, veteran 1B cut loose (2024)

BOSTON — The Red Sox activated designated hitter Masataka Yoshida off the injured list before Tuesday’s game and, to make room for him on the roster, designated first baseman Garrett Cooper for assignment to make room on the roster for him.

Yoshida has been sidelined with a left thumb strain since leaving an April 28 game against the Cubs while dealing with pain in his hand. In total, his injured list stint lasted 37 games after opinions from three different doctors decided he did not need surgery. He’ll hit fifth against Phillies righty Zack Wheeler in the opening game of a three-game series at Fenway on Tuesday night.

After ramping up his swinging program in recent weeks, Yoshida played in two rehab games at Triple-A Worcester over the weekend. Manager Alex Cora said Yoshida’s return would be based on pain tolerance, so it’s clear the thumb feels good enough to return to major league action despite limited at-bats in the minors.

“The sooner the better, from my end,” Cora said. “I had a pretty good idea over the weekend but I wasn’t sure. We had to play until Sunday to see how he feels, and Monday. Yesterday, he said he was good to go, so why not?”

“Obviously, it’s not perfect but he feels like he can compete at this level,” Cora said. “(He’s) healthy. Just the timing now. The more at-bats here, the quicker he’s going to be.”

Yoshida will have Wednesday off with the hobbled Tyler O’Neill getting the start at DH against Phillies lefty Cristopher Sánchez. He’ll then play again Thursday night and be in the lineup daily after that. Cora’s hoping the 30-year-old, who hit .275 with two homers, 11 RBIs and a .736 OPS in 24 games to start the season, will add another dimension to a Boston lineup that is still missing Triston Casas and will be without Trevor Story for the rest of the year.

“Just a good at-bat ... When you have O’Neill in the same lineup, it gets longer,” Cora said. “Matchup-wise, it helps. We’ve got a bunch of lefties so they have to make a decision when they go to their lefties (in the bullpen).

“He’s a good hitter ... When he got hurt, he was swinging the bat well. One of the things I’ve been telling everybody is that he is who he is. He’s going to hit some grounders but he’s going to hit for average and he’s gonna hit doubles and he’s going to put good at-bats. That’s what we’re looking for.”

Cooper, who was acquired in a minor trade with the Cubs on April 27, failed to produce offensively in his few weeks with the Red Sox. The 33-year-old hit just .171 with four doubles, five RBIs and a .455 OPS in 24 games with the Sox, making nine starts at first base and nine as the designated hitter. The Red Sox will have seven days to trade, waive or release Cooper, who will look for his third team of 2024.

With Cooper off the roster, the Red Sox will move forward with Dom Smith and Bobby Dalbec as their first base options until Triston Casas returns. Smith, who has started 17 of the last 19 games at first base for Boston, has hit .304 with a homer and a .945 OPS in eight June games.

“Versatility,” Cora said, explaining the move. “We kept Bobby. He can play first, he can play third, he can play the outfield. I think that’s why we kept Bobby over Coop.”