When Oswald Peraza arrived at Yankees camp this spring, he was considered a strong contender for a spot on the major league roster. While he wasn’t slated to be the starting shortstop—Anthony Volpe had secured that position the previous year—Peraza had a legitimate opportunity to provide valuable contributions in a utility role.
Even if he didn’t ultimately earn a spot on the team, Peraza would have had the chance at the start of the season to demonstrate to the organization his progress in offensive consistency and development through regular playing time with the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre team.
Both avenues to establish a groundwork for increased playing time with the Yankees in the future have now disappeared for Peraza.
It was disclosed by manager Aaron Boone on Saturday, prior to the Yankees’ spring game against the Twins in Fort Myers, Fla., that Peraza has a subscapular strain in his right shoulder, rendering him unable to throw for the next six-to-eight weeks.
Both avenues to establish a groundwork for increased playing time with the Yankees in the future have now disappeared for Peraza.
It was disclosed by manager Aaron Boone on Saturday, prior to the Yankees’ spring game against the Twins in Fort Myers, Fla., that Peraza has a subscapular strain in his right shoulder, rendering him unable to throw for the next six-to-eight weeks.
Should Peraza adhere to his prescribed timeline, he will not resume throwing until sometime in mid-April at the earliest. Consequently, he won’t be back in action, even in a rehab capacity, until well into the first month of the season or possibly later.
Expressing his frustration, Peraza stated, “I’m frustrated about it. I was feeling good and, of course, wanted to make the team, whether it was starting or on the bench, but unfortunately there are some things I can’t control. This is one of them. I’m just going to fight my way back to a normal state.”
With Peraza sidelined, Oswaldo Cabrera seems poised to claim a spot on the bench. His versatility, particularly his ability to provide backup for Volpe at shortstop, would be valuable. However, Cabrera’s performance thus far has not supported his candidacy. As of Saturday, he was batting just .048 (1-for-21) in eight Grapefruit League appearances.
Non-roster invitee Kevin Smith has impressed greatly during camp, showcasing his versatility as a defender and putting himself in contention for a spot on the roster. Other players like Jahmai Jones, Josh VanMeter, and Jeter Downs are also worth keeping an eye on as they compete for positions.
However, if the Yankees want to strengthen their depth further, they may have to look beyond their current roster.
Manager Boone commented, “It’s always a possibility, especially towards the end of camp when roster changes become more frequent. I wouldn’t dismiss anything.”
