According to Japan manager Hideki Kuriyama’s announcement on Thursday, new Boston Red Sox outfielder Masataka Yoshida will participate in the March 8–21 World Baseball Classic.

 

The 29-year-old will compete in World Baseball Classic beginning with the first round in Tokyo, according to skipper, who took questions in Kitahiroshima, a town outside of Sapporo. The player reportedly signed a five-year, $90 million contract with the Red Sox in December.

 

Kuriyama said, “We’ll request that he wear the Japan shirt. We have been asking position players to join up as early as possible, and we won’t have them join in the middle (from the semifinals in the United States). “.

 

Kuriyama admitted he was hesitant to activate Yoshida before his debut MLB season but changed his mind after speaking with the former Orix Buffaloes star and realizing his desire to play.

 

For Masataka’s sake, Kuriyama admitted, “I had thought I shouldn’t pick Masataka.”. “But there’s no choice but to ask him to lend a hand after he displayed that spirits. “

 

Last year, in 119 games for the Japan Series champions last year, Yoshida batted 335 with 21 home runs and 88 RBIs.

 

Yoshida’s participation in the World Baseball Classic will differ from the actions of previous Japanese stars who moved abroad for the first time because playing in the WBC can result in players missing most of the MLB preseason.

 

Koji Uehara, a pitcher, and Kenji Johjima, a catcher, were former MLB stars who represented Japan in the World Baseball Classic. In 2006, Uehara pitched for the Japan national team, and in 2009, he caught for the Baltimore Orioles.