The Alex Cora Running Club
The number of Red Sox players put on the injured list is about to be updated: According to Alex Cora during his weekly appearance on Mego and Jones with Arcand said Masa Yoshida will be the latest to hit the IL.
“We are going to put Masa on the IL,” Cora said. “It’s the smart thing to do. Take care of his hand. When he comes back, he comes back and he will be ready to do his job.”
The Yoshida news marks the 16th player to be placed on the injured list this season. The designated hitter was slated to undergo an MRI on his left hand Wednesday, having suffered the injury during an at-bat Saturday.
One possibility to take Yoshida’s spot on the active roster is Dom Smith, who - according to multiple reports - is signing with the Red Sox after opting out of his minor-league deal with the Rays.
The left-handed-hitting Smith had played in 29 games for Tampa Bay’s Triple-A affiliate this season, hitting .263 with a .712 OPS. The 28-year-old former first-round pick played in 153 games for the Nationals last season, hitting .254 with a .692 OPS and 12 homers. Before joining Washington, the first baseman spent the previous six seasons in the Mets organization.
While the Red Sox were waiting to confirm the Smith deal until a physical was passed, they did announce the acquisition of infielder Zack Short from the Mets. The slick-fielding middle infielder - who was acquired for cash considerations - is slated to join the club Thursday.
Short played in 10 games this season with the Mets after appearing in 110 for the Tigers in 2023. He is considered a defensive-first option who will likely serve as a backup for second base, shortstop and third base.
The player considered the soon-to-be regular second baseman, Vaughn Grissom, is likely going to join the team in Minnesota Friday, according to Cora. Grissom was originally planning to make his Red Sox debut during the current series against the Giants, but came down with the flu.