FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Masataka Yoshida's stay in Red Sox camp is going to be a relatively brief one -- at first.
Yoshida will be playing for Team Japan in the upcoming World Baseball Classic and will be departing to join his countryman in two weeks. In the meantime, he's intent on getting adjusted to Major League Baseball and American culture.
Already, he joined some new teammates Sunday to watch the Super Bowl and get introduced to Puerto Rican cuisine. Each day, he tries to familiarize himself with other members of the organization while also preparing for the start of the season.
"Everything's going good so far,'' said Yoshida through a translator. "This is a really great complex, I would say much better than the Japanese ones. It's great getting to know the players and the coaches here. It's been fun. I just want to make a good impression and be ready for the WBC.''
Yoshida said he had a recent conversation with Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki, who made the transition from Japan to the U.S. a year ago.
"We didn't get have a deep conversation,'' relayed Yoshida. "It was just about the differences between the U.S. and Japan and how this is a really good place to play baseball.''
Alex Cora predicted that Yoshida "will hit the ball all over the place, control the strike zone. He has a pretty idea about what he wants to do as far as his structure and the way he goes about it. There's a reason for (everything). Today, he tracked pitches, went back and hit and then he shagged. This guy gets it. He's a veteran. Been there, done that, so it's about him getting used to the whole experience.''
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Justin Turner will wear No. 2 for the Red Sox, the same number he wore for years with the Dodgers.
Turner's aware of the significance of the number in recent Red Sox history. Xander Bogaerts, who left to sign with San Diego last December, wore it most recently and so did Red Sox legend Jerry Remy.
"I didn't really have a lot of options,'' said Turner of the decision. "They asked me if I'd be OK with wearing No. 2. I know obviously there's some history there with Bogey and Remy. I've read a little about on social media some of the stuff that comes up on No. 2, but I have worn No. 2 my entire life. The only reason I didn't wear No. 2 with the Dodgers (initially) is Tommy Lasorda said no when I asked him if I could, which I expected.
"I'm excited to be back with No. 2. I'm excited to hopefully make Remy proud of what I do and what I accomplish. I know a lot of guys wore No. 2 before me. It is a big deal. I don't take it lightly and I want to make him proud.''
Turner said he was born at 2:22, and his father wore No. 2, and that he's worn the number since he was four years old.
"My (Twitter) handle is @redturn2 because of No. 2,'' offered Turner, "not because I'm a master double-play turner.''
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Wednesday was the first day teams can transfer injured players to the 60-day IL, and the Red Sox wasted no time taking advantage, placing Trevor Story (elbow) to the list.
That, in turn, opened a spot on the 40-man roster, which the Red Sox quickly filled with the signing of infielder Yu Chang to a major league deal worth $850,000 plus incentives.
Chang was with the Sox for the final month of the 2022 season. In 11 games, Chang had a .596 OPS before being designated for assignment in November. Now, he's back.
There were other bigger-name options on the free agent market, including former Sox infielder Jose Iglesias, along with Elvis Andrus. But both players were in search of a bigger base salary -- with Igleisas thought to be looking for a figure in the neighborhood of $3-4 million and Andrus in search of an even higher base. For the role the Sox needed to fill --a backup to offer depth -- they determined they'd rather give themselves additional financial flexibility down the road.
The Sox like the fact that Chang can contribute at several infield spots and also play some outfield. They can use someone to back up Kiké Hernandez at short and Christian Arroyo at second. Currently, the Sox project Adalberto Mondesi as their primary backup infielder, but Mondesi is recovering from knee surgery and may not be ready to start the season.
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Among those reporting to camp Thursday: outfielder Adam Duvall, first baseman Triston Casas, second baseman Christian Arroyo... Trevor Story began some rudimentary defensive drills Thursday, fielding some grounders. "He's into it, he's locked in,'' said Cora. "Obviously, we've got to be patient. I'm more positive than a few months ago. The fact that he got here early and he's engaged helps.''