is set to undergo an MRI on his right shoulder, manager Alex Cora told reporters (including ) after todays game. Earlier today, Carlos Yamazaki of Tokyo Sports reported ( ) that Yoshida was considering having surgery, as Yoshida Timothy Liljegren Jersey said he has been bothered by shoulder sorene s for much of the season. The 31-year-old Yoshida didnt play in Bostons season-ending 3-1 win over the Rays today, thus ending his second MLB season with a .280/.349/.415 slash line and 10 home runs over 421 plate appearances. That translates to a 115 wRC+ in 2024, and after he had relatively similar numbers in 580 PA in 2023, Yoshida now has a 112 wRC+ over his 248 games and 1001 trips to the plate as a big leaguer. Between these solid numbers and the fact that he is one of the leagues toughest players to strike out, Yoshidas first two Major League seasons have been quite respectable overall. However, more than respectable was expected when the Sox signed him to a five-year, $90MM deal during the 2022-23 offseason. Seen as an overpay of a contract from former Red Sox chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom, Yoshida seemed to answer his critics with some very strong numbers in 2023 before fading down the stretch. His 2024 was limited in another sense, as Yoshida was almost exclusively a designated hitter. While Cora reiterated today that Yoshidas usage was more due to Bostons outfield surplus than due to concerns about Yoshidas defense, the fact remains that Yoshida played in just one game as an outfielder this season. The left-handed hitting Yoshida was also largely used only against right-handed pitching, further limiting his playing time. More will be known about Yoshidas shoulder once the MRI is complete, but if surgery is nece sary, that further complicates his status heading into 2025. With three years and $54MM remaining on his contract, Yoshida is a tough player to move in any trade talks, and his trade value will dip further if any health uncertainty is attached. Some room in Bostons outfield could open up if departs in free agency, but two star Red Sox outfield prospects ( , ) are expected to be part of the big league roster at some point in 2025, further crowding the picture. Theres also a chance ONeill is re-signed, as he told and other reporters that he spoke with chief baseball officer today, and the two both expre sed mutual interest in a reunion. Breslow also spoke publicly about the clubs keenne s in po sibly bringing the Canadian slugger back for 2025 and beyond. Injuries have continued to plague ONeill, as he was limited to 113 games and 473 PA this season due to three relatively brief stints on the 10-day IL. The good news is that when ONeill was able to play, he delivered to the tune of 31 homers and a .241/.336/.511 slash line, and a 131 wRC+. ONeill had an elite barrel rate and excellent walk and hard-hit ball rates, even if he also posted one of the baseballs worst strikeout rates (33.6%). The right-handed hitting ONeill also had some drastic splits, as he had only a .693 OPS in 317 PA against righty pitching but a whopping 1.180 OPS in 156 PA against southpaws. The splits are perhaps le s of an i sue for the Red Sox than other teams, as having a powerful right-handed bat is particularly helpful on a Sox roster that is overloaded with lefty swingers. That said, Bostons future outfield prospects perhaps cloud the chances of ONeills return, and his injury history does add an extra element of risk for the Sox or any team that signs him to a multi-year contract. Its not out of the question that ONeill could accept a one-year qualifying offer to take a $21MM-ish payday and stay in Boston in 2025, but there seems to be a greater chance that ONeill would reject a QO and seek a heftier contract on the heels of his strong season. Finally, todays game marked the final broadcast for longtime radio broadcaster Joe Castiglione, who is retiring from regular announcing duty after 42 years of calling Red Sox games. He was recognized by the Hall of Fame as this years winner of the Ford Frick Award, and several Sox legends took part in a pregame ceremony today honoring Castigliones tenure as the voice of Red Sox Nation. We at MLB Trade Rumors congratulate Castiglione on his incredible career. Artem Guryev Jersey