The Yankees had to adjust their roster on Monday to allow designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton to return from the 60-day injured list, marking his first activation this season.
They decided to designate versatile Pablo Reyes for assignment while expanding the utility role of former top infield prospect Oswald Peraza.
At 25 years old, Peraza has been practicing with coach Luis Rojas to improve his positioning and throws from the outfield, both at Fenway Park and Yankee Stadium recently. Manager Aaron Boone is confident that Peraza is ready to play in the outfield if needed for the first time.
“Given our current roster, we’re ensuring he gets some practice out there since it might become a necessary role,” Boone explained prior to Monday’s 1-0 loss to the Angels in 11 innings at The Bronx. “During a game, you might need a pinch runner or make a substitution. This helps add a bit more versatility to his skillset.”
Peraza has started 30 games this season: 24 at third base, four at second and two at shortstop in place of starter Anthony Volpe.
He never has appeared as an outfielder in a game in the minor leagues or during part of four seasons with the Yanks.
Reyes had made nine outfield appearances for the team this season, including one start, and 67 over eight big-league seasons with five teams.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. has taken over at third base since returning June 3 from a six-week stint on the injured list, and DJ LeMahieu mostly has manned second base since he was activated in mid-May.
The work in the outfield simply gives Peraza — and the Yankees — another option.
“We don’t have a lot of flexibility, so there’s going to come a time where we have to be comfortable with it. Or get comfortable being uncomfortable,” Boone said. “But I think ‘Oz’ will handle it well.
“He’s such a good athlete, he’s obviously such a good defensive infielder that I expect him to be able to handle it, especially in a pinch here.”
Right-hander JT Brubaker was in The Bronx on Monday.
The veteran last appeared in a major league game on Oct. 4, 2022.
He underwent Tommy John surgery in April 2023, was traded to the Yankees by the Pirates in March of last year, and has been rehabbing ever since.
“The feeling and everything that you get when you’re out on the field is what keeps you going,” the 31-year-old pitcher said. “Just to be an option [here] is motivation enough.”
He suffered a setback in spring training, fracturing three of his ribs after being struck by a comebacker in late February.
But he’s healthy now, and close to getting activated. Brubaker made six minor league outings, and threw five hitless innings in his last appearance. Boone said he will likely be used in long relief.
Reliever Jake Cousins will undergo Tommy John surgery on Wednesday, Boone said.
The right-hander was a big part of the Yankees bullpen a year ago, posting a 2.37 ERA across 38 innings.
He also appeared in six games during the 2024 postseason.
In the first voting update for the All-Star Game, Aaron Judge leads all players with 1,568,527 votes.
Paul Goldschmidt is the leading vote-getter at first base in the American League.
Ben Rice is second at designated hitter, although his playing time may diminish now that Stanton is back.
