Masataka Yoshida won’t travel with Red Sox, surgery a possibility

Masataka Yoshida’s situation grows more concerning with each update.

Before the designated hitter even finished getting an MRI on Wednesday, the Red Sox placed him on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to Apr. 29) with a left-thumb strain.

On Thursday morning, Alex Cora said the staff was still “gathering information” and he wasn’t sure when they’d have a clear picture of the road ahead.

“That’s where we’re at,” the manager said. “Don’t know what that means, if it’s tonight we’ll know more, or in the upcoming days.”

It’s been a tumultuous first month of the season for Yoshida, whom the Red Sox moved to the DH role during the offseason. Though he began the year with a four-game hitting streak and Opening Day double in Seattle, he’s done little in the way of hitting for power. He also spent several days on the bench over the last two weeks, as Rafael Devers (bone bruise) and Tyler O’Neill (concussion) both needed time in the DH spot before getting back on the field.

After a four-hit performance in the Sox’s 17-0 win over the Chicago Cubs on Saturday, Yoshida exited Sunday’s series finale after being jammed by a pitch.

“His hand is huge,” Cora said before Wednesday’s game. At the time, he was hopeful Yoshida would only need 10 days, which would allow him to return for the following homestand next Friday, May 10. The hitter, however, wouldn’t rule out surgery when speaking to reporters on Wednesday. Informed of this before Thursday afternoon’s game, Cora would only reiterate, “We’re gonna gather information and we’ll decide what’s next for him.”

The only concrete update he could provide was that Yoshida wouldn’t be traveling with the team for the weekend series in Minnesota.

More Red Sox injury updates

Brayan Bello (lat) is scheduled to make a rehab start with Double-A Portland on Tuesday.

Vaughn Grissom saw his season debut pushed back again this week due to the flu, but he’s traveling to Minnesota with the team and Cora said he “should be with us” for Friday night’s series opener against the Twins.

Romy Gonzalez (wrist) is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Worcester on Friday.