Veteran Infielder Delivers For Yankees As DFA Decision Looms

 The veteran infielder has been a steady presence on the bench, but production has been limited. Through 31 plate appearances this season, Reyes is hitting .194 with a .242 on-base percentage and just one extra-base hit. He’s struck out in nearly 30 percent of his trips to the plate.

He did everything the Yankees asked of a fill-in. It just may not be enough to save his spot.

“The way I look at it, that’s something I can’t control,” Reyes said after the game, through Yankees translator Marlon Abreu. “Movements like that, that’s for the front office. For me, what I can control is come in here, prepare every day the right way, work hard every day and prepare for opportunities like this tonight.”

The decision might come down to utility. 

Oswald Peraza is hitting just .207 this season but remains the team’s most trusted backup shortstop. With Anthony Volpe entrenched at the position but no obvious second option behind him, Peraza has value the Yankees likely won’t risk losing. That leaves Reyes as the odd man out if Stanton is activated.

Reyes did everything right Thursday night. He was prepared, he hustled, and he made something happen. But roster math rarely cares about effort. It cares about need. And if the Yankees don’t need another utility infielder, Reyes may be looking for a new team by the weekend.