Masataka Yoshida Hits IL as Red Sox Recall Mickey Gasper and Raymond Burgos

The Boston Red Sox placed Masataka Yoshida on the 10-day IL Sunday following a left hamstring strain suffered during a double against the Pirates.

The Boston Red Sox officially placed designated hitter Masataka Yoshida on the 10-day injured list this Sunday, August 16, 2026. The 33-year-old veteran sustained a left hamstring strain during the third inning of Saturday's victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates. The injury occurred as Yoshida limped visibly while advancing to second base on a double. Through 2026, his fourth season with the franchise, the left-handed hitter has maintained a .274 batting average, recording five home runs and 28 RBI. This transaction was finalized at 11:34 AM ET, marking a significant shift in the club's offensive alignment heading into the final stretch of the summer schedule.

Key details

Simultaneously, the Red Sox moved right-handed reliever Justin Slaten to the 15-day injured list. Slaten is currently dealing with inflammation in his pitching elbow, an issue that surfaced following his recent workload. The reliever has made 36 appearances this season, pitching to a 2-4 record with a 4.60 ERA. To fill these vacancies on the 26-man roster, Boston recalled catcher Mickey Gasper and left-handed pitcher Raymond Burgos from Triple-A Worcester. These moves ensure the team maintains a full complement of players for the series finale and the upcoming travel day.

While the Red Sox have not yet released a formal timeline for Yoshida's return, the player provided context based on his professional history. Yoshida noted on Saturday that a previous hamstring injury sustained during his career in Japan resulted in a one-month absence from competition. The designated hitter is scheduled to undergo further medical testing once the team returns to Boston. These evaluations will take place prior to the start of a three-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks, which begins this Monday at Fenway Park. The diagnostic imaging will determine if the strain is a Grade 1 or Grade 2 tear.

Yoshida has served almost exclusively as the designated hitter for Boston this year, appearing in the outfield for only six games. His offensive output includes 28 runs batted in across his fourth MLB campaign, where he has focused on contact hitting and situational power. The move to the IL follows the club's win against Pittsburgh, where the injury was triggered by his extra-base hit in the third frame. The 10-day designation is retroactive to the date of the transaction, allowing for a potential return in late August if the recovery progresses without setbacks.

Latest developments

The addition of Raymond Burgos provides a fresh left-handed arm for the bullpen, replacing the production of the sidelined Slaten. Burgos has shown versatility in the minor leagues, offering the ability to pitch multiple innings or face specific left-handed threats. Mickey Gasper joins the active roster to bolster the catching depth while Yoshida occupies an IL spot. Gasper’s presence allows manager Alex Cora more flexibility with pinch-hitting duties, especially since the DH spot will now likely be rotated among several different starters to keep legs fresh.

Slaten’s 4.60 ERA and 36 games of work will be absent from the pitching staff for at least 15 days due to his elbow inflammation. The Red Sox will proceed with these personnel changes as they transition from their matchup with the Pirates to the upcoming home stand against Arizona. The club continues to monitor the health of their primary DH as they await the results of the diagnostic tests scheduled in Boston. The medical staff is prioritizing the reduction of swelling before Yoshida begins a light running program, which is the standard protocol for soft tissue injuries in the lower extremities.

In terms of roster construction, the loss of Yoshida removes a consistent .274 bat from the middle of the order. The Red Sox have relied on his ability to avoid strikeouts, a trait that has defined his tenure since arriving from the Nippon Professional Baseball league. With 28 RBI on the season, his absence creates a void in run production that Gasper and the remaining bench players must fill. The team’s strategy will likely involve a platoon approach at the designated hitter position until the veteran is cleared for full baseball activities.

Looking ahead to the Diamondbacks series, the pitching rotation remains stable, but the bullpen dynamics shift with Burgos replacing Slaten’s right-handed velocity. The 15-day stint for Slaten suggests a cautious approach to his elbow health, aiming to prevent a long-term structural issue. Meanwhile, the Worcester call-ups represent the organization's depth, as both Gasper and Burgos have performed well enough in Triple-A to earn this promotion during a critical juncture of the 2026 campaign. The front office will evaluate the roster again following the results of Yoshida’s MRI on Monday afternoon.