The Yankees needed to make a roster move Monday to facilitate designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton’s activation from the 60-day injured list for the first time this season.
They decided to designate versatile Pablo Reyes for assignment while expanding the utility role of former top infield prospect Oswald Peraza.
The 25-year-old Peraza has been working with coach Luis Rojas on positioning and throws from the outfield in recent days at Fenway Park and Yankee Stadium, and manager Aaron Boone believes Peraza is capable of being used for the first time out there, if needed.
“With our roster now, we’re making sure he gets some reps out there, because that could become a realistic thing,” Boone said before Monday’s 1-0, 11-inning loss to the Angels in The Bronx. “In the course of a game, you’re pinch running, you’re making a substitution. So just to try and add a little more versatility to him.”
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.
