FORT MYERS, Fla. — The information that got here down on Saturday wasn’t sudden, however that didn’t imply it was good.
Supervisor Aaron Boone introduced that Oswald Peraza, who was competing for a bench position this season, will as an alternative be shut down for six to eight weeks with a sub-scapular pressure in his proper shoulder.
“It’s clearly going to value him some season, however nonetheless there’s so much in entrance of him on this season,” Boone mentioned shortly earlier than New York confronted the Twins at Lee Well being Sports activities Complicated. “So, [we’ll] get him proper, get him nicely and get him rolling.”
On the plus facet, the imaging Peraza had finished on the shoulder didn’t reveal something that required surgical procedure, and the Yankees are hopeful that relaxation and remedy will remedy what ails the 23-year-old.
The difficulty started for Peraza on Feb. 25, when he reported tightness in his throwing shoulder that Boone mentioned stopped him from with the ability to “actually rip it throughout the diamond like he would have wished.” Peraza rested a number of days and rejoined the lineup on Tuesday and Wednesday, however the problem endured. The Yankees despatched Peraza for an MRI on Thursday and a dye-contrast arthrogram on Friday, a mix of which revealed the issue.
“I believe why they went deeper and appeared a second day with the arthrogram was simply to verify sure issues weren’t compromised or in a nasty spot,” Boone mentioned. “So it seems like a six- to eight-week factor after which hopefully we’ll be in a great place shifting ahead.”
Peraza entered camp as a favourite to win a bench position due as a lot to his versatility (he can play second, shortstop and third) as to the impression he made along with his glove throughout 52 video games with the Yankees in 2023. He earned reward for a number of highlight-reel-worthy performs within the subject, however his profession .273/.348/.424 Minors slash line didn’t switch to the large league degree, the place Peraza hit simply .191 and struck out 50 occasions in 173 at-bats.
He’s not out of choices, although, that means that whereas a robust Grapefruit League displaying might have solidified his backup position with the large membership, something much less — or a standout efficiency from one other roster hopeful — seemingly would have meant Peraza began the season with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, the place he’d play every single day.
With Peraza now out of competition, Oswaldo Cabrera has seemingly locked up one bench spot, whereas a bunch of kids — Kevin Smith, Josh VanMeter, Jeter Downs and New York’s No. 16 prospect Jorbit Vivas amongst them — will battle for the remaining opening.
Smith, who signed a Minor League take care of New York on Jan. 8 after cups of espresso with the Blue Jays (2021) and A’s (‘22-23), brings energy (102 homers, 129 doubles, 361 RBIs and an .829 OPS throughout six Minor League seasons). Boone mentioned Smith’s true worth lies in his versatility: he’s listed as a shortstop but in addition performed third and hung out at second and first within the Minors, and added a handful of video games within the outfield, as nicely.
VanMeter, who signed a Minors deal on Jan. 16, brings the apparent benefit of a left-handed bat and what Boone deemed a “actual skilled method” to his at-bats. The 28-year-old second baseman spent elements of 4 seasons within the Majors with the Reds, D-backs and Pirates, taking part in each place however shortstop and middle subject.
Boone additionally didn’t rule out an outdoor candidate ought to issues play out that manner.
“We have nonetheless obtained nearer to a few weeks till Opening Day. In baseball, and in spring and on this time of yr, that is a very long time,” Boone mentioned. “Loads can occur between at times. We’ll see.
“Guys are competing right here, vying for that, and also you by no means know what can occur once more between now and the Opening Day. Quite a lot of issues nonetheless might shake out.”
