{"id":678434,"date":"2026-04-18T14:55:09","date_gmt":"2026-04-18T14:55:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/678434\/"},"modified":"2026-04-18T14:55:09","modified_gmt":"2026-04-18T14:55:09","slug":"scorching-hot-red-sox-veteran-making-strong-push-for-more-playing-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/678434\/","title":{"rendered":"Scorching-Hot Red Sox Veteran Making Strong Push For More Playing Time"},"content":{"rendered":"

The\u00a02026 Boston Red Sox<\/a> have an abundance of two things: starting pitchers and outfielders.<\/p>\n

Pitching depth is important and should come in handy over the course of a long season, as pitchers tend to get hurt eventually<\/a>. However, the outfield logjam<\/a> is causing a real roster crunch for the Red Sox.<\/p>\n

That’s because Boston has five outfielders for three outfield spots and the DH: Jarren Duran, Roman Anthony, Ceddanne Rafaela, Wilyer Abreu and Masataka Yoshida.<\/p>\n

Every game, one of them has to start on the bench. Alex Cora’s been doing his best to rotate them and get them fairly regular at-bats, but it’s neither easy for him nor optimal<\/a> for the Red Sox’s lineup.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Yoshida continues to prove he should be in the starting lineup every day for the foreseeable future.<\/p>\n

Rocking an .888 OPS to start 2026. Absolutely raking.<\/p>\n

91.3 EV game-winning RBI single: pic.twitter.com\/JeKfQJ1uG7<\/a> https:\/\/t.co\/mobtWiP3a8<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 G.G. (@ggeiss_mlb) April 18, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

The inconsistent playing time may explain why Anthony and Duran, two of the team’s best hitters, are off to slow starts<\/a>. Yoshida got off to a cold start, too, but has recently turned things around despite being the odd man out<\/a> most nights.<\/p>\n

After starting the year 0-for-9 through his first six games, the 32-year-old has caught fire over the last two weeks, hitting safely in six straight games and raising his OPS to .887. He’s batting a blistering .450\/.522\/.600 with five RBI during that span, including the game-winning RBI<\/a>\u00a0off the bench against the Detroit Tigers on Friday.<\/p>\n

With Boston struggling offensively<\/a>, Yoshida deserves more playing time and may force Cora’s hand soon. Cora doesn’t have many options given the roster’s lack of flexibility, but he could move Rafaela to second base, where he spent some time last year, and bench the slumping Marcelo Mayer.<\/p>\n

It’s not ideal, especially from a defensive standpoint<\/a>. But if Yoshida keeps swinging the bat like this, Cora may have no other choice.<\/p>\n

More MLB:\u00a0Red Sox Continue Unbelievable Trend In City Connect Jerseys Vs. Tigers<\/a><\/p>\n