FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Speaking to the media for the first time since returning from his standout performance in the World Baseball Classic, Masataka Yoshida labeled his time with Team Japan "a really great experience,'' and an "honor.''
"Every single pitch was meaningful,'' he said of the tournament, which concluded Tuesday night with Japan edging Team USA 3-2 in the championship game. "It was a tough decision to play in the WBC (after signing with the Red Sox last December), but it was a great decision because I was able to play under a lot of pressure and with a lot of great players. That was really great for me.''
Yoshida set a WBC record with 13 RBI, and playing at such a high level imbued him with belief in himself as he prepares to make his MLB debut Thursday at Fenway Park.
"Hitting fourth,'' said Yoshida, "I was in a good situation to get those RBI and that was good for my confidence. And I got over 30 at-bats, so that was helpful for me. I think I'm ready to play in Boston.''
Yoshida hit fourth Friday night for the Sox in his return to the lineup and Alex Cora indicated he'll hit there frequently during the season.
"To be honest, I don't care where I hit,'' said Yoshida. "What I'm focused on is a need to address every single situation. When there's nobody on base, I need to get on base; and if somebody's in scoring position, I try to (make sure that he scores).''
After the title game Tuesday, Yoshida was exhausted, but not from an emotional standpoint.
"I felt more tired in the body,'' he revealed. "My mental tiredness was gone because we made it (winning the championship). Then, I needed to reduce my tiredness a little bit, but I think I'm ready to play.''
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Friday night's lineup had Alex Verdugo leading off, followed by Rafael Devers, Justin Turner, Masataka Yoshida, Adam Duvall, Triston Casas, Christian Arroyo, Reese McGuire and Kiké Hernandez.
Asked if it might be the same one utilized Thursday for Opening Day, Cora responded: "Might....might not.''
Cora reiterated that the team won't have one, consistent leadoff hitter.
"We'll mix and match,'' said Cora. "At one point, obviously, I would love to have structure at that end. But I think we have a lot of guys who can do the job. Kiké can do it, Arroyo can do it, against righties, Casas can do it, Verdugo can do it. I'm not convinced I'm going to use Yoshida in the leadoff spot. I think we'll let him be. I think it's very important to (not ask him to) do something he hasn't done before. In a new setting, trying to adjust to everything that's going on. He looks pretty good hitting behind JT. As of now, that's how we'll probably do it.''
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In his final Grapefruit League appearance of the spring, Nick Pivetta was impressive, allowing two runs over six innings with five strikeouts. He liked the fact that he got up to 95 pitches and performed well against a strong Braves lineup.
"It was nice to have everybody here and playing together,'' said Pivetta. "From our side and their side, it was the perfect game to get ready for the season. It was a good big league to end on. Nice weather, good atmosphere. It was nice to get up to (95 pitches), and feel like what it would feel like in a full game, with the pitch clock and everything. Everything that I've done so far is pretty much exactly what I need to do to continue to move into the season. We'll see where it goes from there.''
Pivetta will throw a camp game here Wednesday, a day after the rest of the roster flies to Boston. He'll then join them Wednesday night in Boston and pitch the fifth game of the season, against Pittsburgh.
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Infielder Yu Chang, who played for Chinese Taipei in the World Baseball Classic and was delayed by visa issues thereafter, arrived in camp Thursday and rejoined the club Friday.
"He did a lot the last few days, the last few weeks,'' said Cora. "Today, he's going to work out. We'll see how he feels (Saturday). We're going to get him as many at-bats as possible (in a minor league game in the complex) then we'll see if we get him into a (major league) game on Sunday. But I think the goal is to get him to get plenty of at-bats (Saturday).''
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Justin Turner belted his first homer of the spring, a two-run shot to right field in a 9-8 win over the Braves. The game also marked the first time that Turner had played in the field since being struck in the face by a pitch earlier this month.... Closer Kenley Jansen left the game in the ninth after allowing two runs, feeling lightheaded.... Triston Casas belted a game-winning, two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth... The Red Sox announced that Garrett Whitlock is lined up to make the Opening Day start for Worcester on March 31, the day the Sox open at Fenway. Whitlock is one of five Red Sox pitchers who are expected to open the season on the IL. Whitlock won't need much time to return to the parent club -- it's expected that he could rejoin them before mid-April, with RHP Brayan Bello behind him on the timetable by about a week.... Corey Kluber will make his final tuneup Saturday before drawing the Opening Day assignment. He's set to go four innings against the Rays at Tropicana Field... Trevor Story, in Week 10 of his rehab from elbow surgery, will travel with the team to Boston and be with them for the homestand before returning to Fort Myers to continue his rehab. He will begin swinging a bat in Week 14.... The Sox returned three players on minor league deals to the minors: catchers Ronaldo Hernandez and Caleb Hamilton, along with first baseman/outfield Daniel Palka. Those moves left the Red Sox with 38 players in camp, or 12 over the 26-man limit they need to have by Thursday.