Red Sox’ Masataka Yoshida leaves game with hamstring injury, likely heading to IL

PITTSBURGH — Red Sox’ designated hitter Masataka Yoshida suffered a strained left hamstring Saturday night and was forced to leave the team’s game with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

After the game, a 4-0 shutout win over the Pirates, Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy said the team was unsure of the severity of the injury, but added: “I think he’s going to be down for some time.”

Yoshida said he felt some pain as he approached second base. He said he had experienced a hamstring strain while playing in Japan and required him to miss “about a month.”

“I haven’t done any testing so we’ll figure it out,” he said.

With Nick Sogard at first and one out in the top of the third inning, Yoshida, batting leadoff, pulled a double into the right field corner. But as Yoshida approached second base, he seemed to stutter step and slid into the bag awkwardly.

Yoshida then summoned the training staff and after a brief exchange, walked off the field. He was replaced on the bases by Anthony Seigler. The Red Sox later announced that Yoshida left the game with left hamstring tightness.

Yoshida entered Saturday night hitting .306 with an .825 OPS over the last 41 games. He’s started 66 games this season, all but five of them as the team’s DH.

For the year, Yoshida is slashing .274/.347/.399 with five homers and 28 RBI.

If Yoshida needs an IL stint, the Red Sox have several options at Triple A Worcester to replace him. Both Romy Gonzalez and Nate Eaton have big league experience and are on the 40-man roster, but one industry source indicated the Red Sox would likely be going in another direction. Mickey Gasper who’s been hot of late, could give the team another switch-hitter and a third catching option.

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