Yankees’ Oswald Peraza has been diagnosed with a subscapularis strain in his right shoulder, as per manager Aaron Boone. Peraza will undergo a six to eight-week shutdown for further evaluation following the unfortunate news.
After experiencing discomfort in his shoulder, Peraza missed ten days of spring training before returning briefly for two games this week. However, he was sidelined again due to persistent soreness. Following an MRI and other tests, it has been determined that Peraza will miss a significant portion of the season. Even in the best-case scenario of a six-week return to baseball activities, he will need time to regain form and makeup for his missed spring preparations, making late May the earliest possible comeback timeline.
Regarded as a top-70 prospect in the last two seasons, Peraza made his MLB debut in 2022, showcasing impressive stats with a .306/.404/.429 slash line over 57 plate appearances. However, his performance dipped notably to .191/.267/.272 in 191 PA last season, mainly due to spending more time at Triple-A given the crowded infield situation in New York. With Anthony Volpe and Gleyber Torres covering middle infield positions, Peraza saw more action as a third baseman after DJ LeMahieu shifted to first base in place of the injured Anthony Rizzo.
Peraza’s defensive prowess across various infield positions has always been a strength. Speculation arises about his potential to replace Volpe at shortstop in the future, although the Yankees currently view Volpe as the long-term solution at the position. With Torres and Rizzo potentially becoming free agents next winter, the infield landscape could shift to create opportunities for Peraza as the regular second or third baseman. However, his priority now is to focus on a healthy and productive 2024 season.
The Yankees had been considering whether Peraza would start the season on the 26-man roster, prompting them to explore the market for a veteran backup infielder capable of playing shortstop as Volpe’s reserve. Securing such a player to complement Oswald Cabrera or Jahmai Jones in a backup role would enable Peraza to see consistent playing time at Triple-A. The team’s emphasis on acquiring experienced bench depth has heightened following Peraza’s extended absence.
Currently, Jeter Downs, Kevin Smith, Jordan Groshans, and Josh VanMeter are present in the Yankees’ camp on non-roster agreements. Jorbit Vivas, acquired from the Dodgers, lacks Triple-A experience and is a notable prospect in need of development. Potential free agents like Donovan Solano or Hanser Alberto could be considered fits, albeit not as backup shortstops. Additionally, the Yankees might look towards players who become available later in spring training through roster cuts or opt-outs from existing minor league contracts, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post.
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