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Red Sox introduce Masataka Yoshida, DFA Jeter Downs

BOSTON -- Former Boston pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka passed along some advice to Masataka Yoshida, another Japanese star who came over to play for the Red Sox.

"His advice to me: Boston is really cold," the 29-year-old outfielder said through an intrepretor on Thursday after he signed a five-year, $90 million deal with the Red Sox. "Obviously, you have to bring your jacket."

Yoshida won a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics and twice led Japan's Pacific League in batting. He also helped Orix to a victory in the Japan Series in October, homering twice in Game 5 -- including a walk-off as the Buffaloes rallied from a ninth-inning deficit.