Oswald Peraza gives depressing comment after shoulder injury diagnosis drops

The Yankees likely should've found a trade partner for Oswald Peraza long ago if they considered Anthony Volpe to be their shortstop of the future. The latest development in Peraza's saga, though, has nothing to do with Brian Cashman holding onto him too long. It just represents another depressing point on his personal timeline, as well as the line of demarcation that just might seal his fate with the franchise.

Entering 2023's spring training, it was assumed Peraza would be given the Opening Day starting shortstop job after starting a game in the ALCS and possessing big-league defensive skills, at the very least. That assumption was wrong; Volpe came and took it.

Entering this season's camp? Peraza had to fight for a bench spot, which was far from assured. Analysts were still split over whether, two years after his initial promotion, he still could benefit more from consistent Triple-A reps rather than a bench role with the MLB team.

Now, that calculus has been erased by the fates. Peraza's tight shoulder -- which he'd returned from for two games earlier in the week -- has been diagnosed as a subscapularis strain, which will keep him down for 6-to-8 weeks, at which point he can begin rehab. That means his regular season return will be midsummer, at the earliest. It also means the Yankees must dedicate the $4 million they had earmarked for Amed Rosario/Kiké Hernández to an available veteran.

Peraza was, understandably, devastated by the diagnosis.

Yankees' Oswald Peraza will be down for 6-to-8 weeks before rehab begins

Devastation makes all the sense in the world here.

Theoretically, the Yankees had two bench spots alongside Trent Grisham and their backup catcher earmarked for Peraza and Oswaldo Cabrera at the beginning of camp. Cabrera has looked skittish so far in camp, and Peraza is clearly no longer an option (and might've played himself off the roster bubble anyway prior to his MRI).

A veteran no longer feels like a luxury, but is now a necessity. Donovan Solano should be staying close to his phone, as long as he likes the sound of $4 million exactly and not a penny more.

Would've been nice if Gio Urshela had held out in free agency just a little longer too, huh?