The New York Yankees’ second half of the 2023 MLB season started on an awful note. They lost a three-game series to the dispirited Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. A change in leadership, sadly, failed to foil a change in fortunes. The long-withstanding offensive misfire continued to stoop to a new low. The ace pitcher Gerrit Cole’s salient efforts were washed down as well.
Meanwhile, setbacks are pouring in for the Yankees from all ends. They already have their best batter, Aaron Judge, on IL due to a toe injury. Just when Judge is ramping up his recovery process, an underfire veteran infielder has picked up a massive injury scare. However, his injury came in as a blessing in disguise for a hard-working rookie who got a much-deserved place in the major league roster.
Oswald Peraza Called Up As Reinforcement As Josh Donaldson Goes Down With Injury!
New York Yankees struggling offense has come under intense scrutiny and criticism over the past several weeks due to abysmal performance. The veterans, especially, were blamed the most, including 37-year-old third baseman Josh Donaldson. The veteran has done nothing worth notable since coming to the Bronx in 2022. Moreover, things stayed exactly the same, or rather worse, in 2023. In an injury-plagued season, he has hit only .142 through 33 games, with 10 of his 15 hits being home runs. Now, to make matters worse, the infielder has picked up another serious injury.
Josh Donaldson picked up a calf injury against Colorado Rockies on Saturday and landed on a 10-day IL. However, it came as a blessing in disguise for top infield prospect Oswald Peraza. The shortstop has been called up as a replacement. Peraza has been raking minor league for a couple of months with extraordinary hits with the bat. In 45 appearances with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, he has hit .261 with 12 homers, 28 RBIs, and .847 OPS. His promotion was long due. However, due to a lack of space in the roster, the prospect was getting neglected each time. Regardless, now Peraza has his opportunity to show why he deserves to be in the big leagues and should get preference above the nonperforming notable names.
Yankees Veteran Lands On IL For The Second Time This Season!
Yankees front office expected 12-year MLB veteran Josh Donaldson to contribute consistently on the third base this season. However, the reality has been the exact opposite. Donaldson has been consistent in picking up injuries. After sitting on the sidelines for over six weeks due to a hamstring injury, the baseman has now picked up a calf injury in his right leg. He sustained the injury against the Rockies during Saturday’s 6-3 win.
Subsequently, Josh Donaldson was placed on 10-day IL after MRI reports came back negative. Yankees manager, Aaron Boone, said that the medical team is yet to determine the severity of the injury. But by the early prognosis, it looks bad. Donaldson’s alleged “comeback” season has been nothing but quite the opposite of it. If his numbers don’t improve by the time the season ends, he is looking at a possible forced retirement.
