DUNEDIN, Fla. — A day after Oswald Peraza went for an MRI exam on his troublesome shoulder, the Yankees were left holding their breath as the infielder went for a second round of testing.
Peraza was set to undergo an arthrogram — imaging that uses dye contrast to examine a joint — on Friday as the Yankees tried to determine the source of his shoulder tightness.
Aaron Boone said he expected to learn more Friday night or Saturday morning, but the fact that Peraza needed more tests after the MRI did not seem like an encouraging sign.
“Let’s see what we get here first and if it’s going to cost him time down or whatever,” Boone said before the Yankees faced the Blue Jays at TD Ballpark. “I guess we’ll cross that bridge [when] we see what we have and continue to evaluate as we go.”
Back in Tampa, Peraza told The Post’s Joel Sherman he was waiting to hear from the doctor when asked if he was concerned.
Peraza entered camp battling for a bench spot, but any kind of injury would put his availability in question to be ready by the March 28 opener.
“I know Opening Day is coming, but again I want to wait to hear from the doctor to know what I have,” Peraza said.
Peraza was originally scratched from a Feb. 27 game with shoulder tightness.
A few days later, Boone described it as Peraza feeling some “pinching” in his shoulder, but the 23-year-old returned to game action on Tuesday.
Peraza played back-to-back games but then came in on Thursday reporting more discomfort, telling Boone he “felt like he really couldn’t rip it across the diamond.”
Known for his strong infield defense, Peraza does have one extra minor league option remaining, giving the Yankees further roster flexibility with him even before the injury.
If Peraza is not available to them, the Yankees will need to determine a backup shortstop to carry on their roster.
Utilityman Oswaldo Cabrera can play the position, but the Yankees may need him to bounce around the field if he makes the roster.
Non-roster invitee Kevin Smith, who has big league experience, would currently appear to be the leading candidate to serve as the backup shortstop. The Yankees could also look to swing a trade or waiver claim later this month for a backup shortstop who isn’t going to make a roster elsewhere.
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