Red Sox’s Masataka Yoshida Exits Pirates Game With Injury originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Boston Red Sox lost Masataka Yoshida to an injury during Saturday night’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Yoshida exited in the third inning with left hamstring tightness, according to MLB.com’s Ian Browne. The Red Sox initially listed the veteran designated hitter as day-to-day.
The injury occurred after Yoshida pulled a double into the right-field corner at PNC Park. As he approached second base, Yoshida appeared to shorten his stride before making an awkward slide into the bag. Yoshida immediately called for Boston’s training staff. After a brief conversation, he walked off the field under his own power and was replaced by Anthony Seigler.
Yoshida Injury Adds To Red Sox Concerns
Left hamstring tightness is the official word on Yoshida for now.
— Ian Browne (@IanMBrowne) August 16, 2026
Yoshida batted leadoff Saturday and went 1-for-2 before leaving the game. His double put two runners in scoring position, although Boston could not add to its early 1-0 lead. The 33-year-old entered the night batting .272 with five home runs, 28 RBIs and a .740 OPS across 86 games. He had begun to find a rhythm in August, recording 13 hits and eight RBIs through his first 11 games of the month.
Masataka Yoshida has left the game with a leg injury and it doesn't look good.
— Tyler Milliken (@tylermilliken_) August 15, 2026
He's been swinging a strong bat the last couple of months. Not good. pic.twitter.com/UkYdC3PexP
Any extended absence would be another blow for a Red Sox club attempting to remain in the American League playoff race. Boston entered Saturday with a 65-57 record after losing six of its previous seven games. The Red Sox have not announced whether Yoshida will undergo additional testing. His status figures to receive another update before Sunday’s series finale in Pittsburgh.
MORE: Red Sox Shake Up Lineup for Saturday Clash with Pirates
The Red Sox face Paul Skenes and the Pirates on Sunday, before heading back home and taking on the Diamondbacks and Giants. Trips to Miami and Yankee Stadium will wrap up the month of August for Boston.