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Yankees Surprise With How They Made Room for Austin Slater

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Kristie Ackert | Last updated Jul 30, 2025 7:10 PM ET

Wednesday came with another roster move. And once again, Oswald Peraza survived. In what shouldn’t be a surprise, the New York Yankees chose to option backup catcher J.C. Escarra to Triple-A rather than have to cut ties with Peraza.

Before Wednesday night’s game against the Rays, the team added newly acquired outfielder Austin Slater to the active roster. To make room, Escarra was optioned back to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Escarra appeared in 39 games with a .205/.299/.345 slash line, including two home runs and 10 RBIs in 97 plate appearances. Meanwhile, Peraza has struggled to establish himself at the major league level. In 39 games this season he’s batting just .152 with three home runs and 13 RBIs, posting a .452 OPS.

Just another quiet reminder that Peraza’s time in pinstripes continues to dangle by a thread. Ben Rice can catch in a pinch. The Yankees technically still need Peraza in case something happens to Anthony Volpe. It’s been too long since Amed Rosario played shortstop for Aaron Boone to feel comfortable.

Prior to tonight’s game, the Yankees made the following roster moves:
• Added OF Austin Slater (#29) to the active roster.
• Optioned C J.C. Escarra to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) July 30, 2025

Peraza likely won’t play on Wednesday. And with the trade deadline hours away, the one-time top Yankees prospect has to wait and see if he is still wearing pinstripes Thursday night.

Peraza has been passed over at third. Blocked at short. Left out of the second base conversation entirely. Peraza’s bat simply does not play in the big leagues.

And now, with Slater in the fold and more moves expected before Thursday’s deadline, Peraza feels like the obvious man out. Again.

The Yankees once saw him as a potential starter. Now, he’s a break-glass-in-case-of-injury option at best. At worst? A sweetener in a trade that sends him out of the only organization he’s ever known.

Maybe this isn't the day Peraza gets moved. But it feels like another day closer to the one that will.

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

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