Yankees Quietly Preparing Former Top Prospect For New Role

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Kristie Ackert | Last updated Jun 16, 2025 1:54 PM ET

Oswald Peraza spent part of Saturday afternoon in unfamiliar territory. Long before the gates opened at Fenway Park, the New York Yankees infielder was settling under fly balls in right field at while outfield coach Luis Rojas barked directions. He worked on throwing to different bases. He talked through footwork.

He got a crash course in outfield coverage, just in case.

That’s how Aaron Boone framed it Sunday morning to NJ Advance Media. Peraza isn’t expected top play outfield often — maybe not at all — but the Yankees are at least preparing for the possibility.

“It’ll be rare,” Boone said. “But it’s a legit possibility.”

That possibility looms a little larger as the roster reshuffle approaches. Giancarlo Stanton is expected to be activated from the injured list on Monday or Tuesday, and once he returns, the Yankees will likely designate utilityman Pablo Reyes for assignment. Reyes hasn’t played much this season, but when he has, it’s been mostly in the outfield — nine appearances out there, more than any other position.

Peraza, meanwhile, has been getting sporadic starts at second base and third since DJ LeMahieu returned. He was back in the lineup Sunday, batting ninth in the Yankees’ 2-0 loss to Boston. But when he’s not starting, Boone may now view him as a true utility piece, capable of moving around the infield, and maybe even stepping into the outfield if needed.

This is not a good sign for Reyes' future with the Yankees.

The Yankees aren’t short on outfielders. Between Cody Bellinger, Jasson Domínguez, Trent Grisham, and Aaron Judge, there’s usually someone on the bench. But depth in the outfield doesn’t always guarantee availability, and in a long season, “just in case” has a way of becoming reality.

There’s a path to Peraza in the outfield this summer. The Yankees are at least making sure he’s ready to find it.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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