The Red Sox brought back infielder Jose Peraza on a minor-league contract over the weekend. The 28-year-old was assigned to Triple-A Worcester’s roster on Friday and appeared in two games during its series in Buffalo, going 4-for-7 with a double and two runs scored.
Peraza originally signed a one-year deal with the Red Sox in December 2019 after spending the first five years of his major-league career with the Dodgers and Reds. The native Venezuelan was Boston’s Opening Day second baseman in 2020, but batted just .225/.275/.342 with one home run, eight RBIs, 13 runs scored, and one stolen base across 34 games (120 plate appearances) before being optioned to the alternate training site in early September.
Following the conclusion of the COVID-shortened 2020 campaign, Peraza became a free-agent once again before latching on with the Mets. The right-handed hitter appeared in 64 games for New York last year, slashing .204/.266/.380 with six homers, 20 RBIs, 21 runs scored, and one stolen base over 154 trips to the plate.
Last November, Peraza inked a minors pact with the Yankees. Though he did not make the team out of spring training, he remained with the organization and reported to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre earlier this spring. As a member of the RailRiders, Peraza batted .239/.293/.368 with five home runs, 29 RBIs, 20 runs scored, and three stolen bases in 63 games (229 plate appearances). He became a free-agent on July 15 by exercising one of the opt-outs in his contract.
It did not take Peraza too long to land back on his feet and re-join an organization he is surely familiar with. The Red Sox had a need for a versatile veteran such as Peraza given how many players the club has had to call up from Worcester in recent weeks to fill in for injured players.
That being said, Peraza has major-league experience at every infield position besides first base as well as all three outfield positions. He should provide the WooSox with seasoned depth across the diamond, particularly up the middle of the infield.
(Picture of Jose Peraza: Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)
Blogging the Red Sox 