Peraza makes most of chance at third

Oswald Peraza lost the springtraining battle to be the Yankees’ starting shortstop to Anthony Volpe, and Gleyber Torres and DJ LeMahieu are blocking his path to the majors at second base.

But a setback for the injured Josh Donaldson created a third avenue for playing time for Peraza.

On Friday, the 22-year-old received his first start at third base, a position he had never played in a professional game.

It is possible there will be more time at the hot corner for Peraza after Donaldson, who aggravated his hamstring strain during a rehab game Tuesday, underwent further examinations that revealed a “Grade 1-plus strain,” manager Aaron Boone said.

Donaldson, who originally went down April 5, will miss another few weeks.

With Volpe at shortstop, Torres at second and LeMahieu at designated hitter, the first start at third base since Donaldson’s diagnosis went to a middle infielder, and Peraza acquitted himself well.

“Thought he looked good. Thought he moved well,” Boone said of Peraza, who handled a pair of ground outs and caught a line out during a 6-1 loss to the Blue Jays in The Bronx.

Boone said Peraza, who has only played second base and shortstop since he signed in 2017, can use the same footwork that has made him an excellent defender up the middle at third. The manager acknowledged, however, that there could be a learning curve.

“I always feel like [third base is] probably the most difficult to play because the rate of some balls coming out to you,” Boone said. “[It] makes it harder to put yourself in position on certain plays. Obviously, shortstop takes the hardest skill set to play, and you gotta be the most talented to play that, but third can be challenging.”

Boone said Peraza, who hit well last season and has been hitting since getting up this week, had been taking ground balls at third.

➤ Volpe, who went 1-for-4, has reached base safely in each of his past nine games.

➤ Jonathan Loaisiga (right elbow inflammation) threw Friday for the first time since he was placed on the injured list April 8. Boone said he was still waiting to hear how Loaisiga felt, but he was encouraged by the step.

“I know he was doing good the last several days,” Boone said of Loaisiga, who will need a few weeks to build back up. “Excited for him to start his way back.”

➤ Harrison Bader (left oblique strain) went 1-for-3 in five innings in his first game of a rehab assignment with Double-A Somerset.

Boone estimated the center fielder would need 10-14 days worth of games, stretching out to play nine innings back-to-back, before he is deemed ready to return to the majors.

➤ Luis Severino (lat strain) was “feeling great” after throwing a live batting practice session Thursday, Boone said.

Severino will continue his rehab in Tampa, where he is set to throw another live session Sunday and one more next week.