PHOENIX — On Friday, Alex Cora said he expected Jarren Duran to be the Red Sox’ leadoff hitter against right-handed starters with Roman Anthony out for the foreseeable future . A day later, Cora reversed course — and has an unusual choice in the No. 1 spot in his lineup.
For the first time in his major league career, designated hitter Masataka Yoshida will lead off for the Sox against the Diamondbacks and righty Brandon Pfaadt on Saturday night. Yoshida will hit two spots ahead of Duran, who is back in the third spot ahead of cleanup man Trevor Story. Yoshida is the fifth different Red Sox hitter to lead off this season, joining Duran (92 times), Anthony (27), Rob Refsnyder (11), Romy Gonzalez (6) and Nate Eaton (6).
Eaton (right field) and Gonzalez (second base) are both in the lineup