Questioning the New York Yankees’ Injury Assessments: The Case of Oswald Peraza

If the New York Yankees claim an injury is minor or not concerning, it’s wise not to take their word for it.

Shortstop/second baseman Oswald Peraza, after participating in two games despite experiencing tightness and pinching in his throwing shoulder, has now been sent for tests to evaluate the seriousness of the issue. The Yankees, known for their recurring injury troubles, typically delay seeking tests until it’s almost too late or until a player has endured a couple of games with the injury. This pattern persists despite the purpose of such tests being misunderstood by the team. Peraza has faced difficulties at the plate during spring training, failing to register a hit in a small seven at-bat sample size, as he vies for a spot on the Yankees’ Opening Day roster. Doubts surrounding his performance in Scranton compared to the major leagues further diminish his chances of securing a roster spot. Fortunately, The Athletic had anticipated this situation. If the Yankees were willing to offer Kiké Hernández $4 million prior to Peraza’s injury, they should be similarly inclined to compensate Donovan Solano after the youngster’s imaging tests. Neglecting to bolster the bench and relying solely on struggling prospects or speculative additions, as they did in 2023, would be an oversight on the Yankees’ part. The addition of Trent Grisham is a step in the right direction. Bringing in an experienced and versatile backup like Solano would further strengthen the team, especially with Peraza dealing with both injury and poor performance.

The debate over whether Peraza is destined to succeed Gleyber Torres or if he’s simply another Yankees prospect who might have been better off included in a trade with the Marlins can be saved for another time. Regardless of the severity of Peraza’s injury, the Yankees’ tendency to endure injuries and rush players back into action without proper diagnosis has once again clouded their roster decisions.