The New York Yankees placed Giancarlo Stanton on the 10-day injured list with a left hamstring strain, the franchise announced Sunday. Here’s what you need to know:
- The outfielder and designated hitter exited Saturday’s game for a pinch-runner after hitting a two-run double in the seventh inning.
- In a corresponding move, New York called up Oswald Peraza from Triple A. Peraza was the No. 3 prospect in the organization this spring, per The Athletic’s Keith Law’s rankings.
- Peraza is batting .290 and had 11 hits through nine games with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre this season.
Prior to today’s game, the Yankees made the following roster moves:
• Placed DH/OF Giancarlo Stanton on the 10-day injured list with a left hamstring strain.
• Recalled INF Oswald Peraza (#91) from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.— New York Yankees (@Yankees) April 16, 2023
The Athletic’s instant analysis:
Who needs to step up in Stanton’s place
With Stanton on the IL, the Yankees have called up Peraza, their top shortstop prospect aside from Anthony Volpe. However, don’t see this as Peraza’s big chance. Not yet, anyway. Peraza’s time with the big-league club is expected to be brief with third baseman Josh Donaldson (hamstring strain) expected to return from the IL later this week.
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With Stanton out, the Yankees will cycle players through the DH spot and in right field. They would be wise to give time to LeMahieu at DH to manage his workload, considering the Yankees’ wariness of the right toe injury he suffered last year. Franchy Cordero could see more time in right field and at DH, especially against righties. Same deal for Willie Calhoun.
Oswaldo Cabrera was slated to start in right field Sunday, which opens potential playing time for Aaron Hicks in left field. Point is, Stanton’s injury could create a cascading effect down the Yankees’ roster, and several players will get chances to prove themselves. — Kuty
What this means for Stanton
The Yankees have been overly cautious with Stanton over the past few years with managing his workload, especially in the outfield. In spring training this year, Boone said that Stanton would ideally play the outfield 40 to 60 times this season with the rest of his appearances coming as the designated hitter.
With another lower-half soft tissue injury, it’ll be interesting to see how much Stanton plays in the outfield when he comes back, if at all. Last season when Stanton returned from his soft tissue injuries in the second half of the season, the Yankees didn’t use him in the outfield at all.
Stanton not playing the field limits what the Yankees can do for their lineup on a daily basis because he takes up the DH spot that could be used for someone like LeMahieu, who doesn’t have a specific daily position and is another player who the Yankees have to manage with his injury history. — Kirschner
Backstory
Stanton, a five-time All-Star, has missed significant time with hamstring injuries in past seasons.
Through 13 games this season, he was batting .269 and had hit four home runs, leading the Yankees with 11 RBIs.
Peraza made his major league debut in 2022, playing 18 games for New York. The infielder batted .306, tallying 15 hits and three doubles in 57 plate appearances.
Pereza could play either shortstop or second base, Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. Peraza’s call-up stint is expected to be short with Donaldson expected to return from the IL either Wednesday or Thursday.