Jorbit Vivas’ statement in Yankees debut, puts Peraza, Cabrera on thin ice

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Jorbit Vivas’ sparkling Yankees debut signals challenges for pinstriped careers of Peraza, Cabrera.

In a Yankees clubhouse where versatile infielders compete for limited roster spots, Jorbit Vivas didn’t merely make his major league debut Friday night — he staked his claim for belonging.

Elevated to the starting lineup in the wake of Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s oblique injury, the 24-year-old Venezuelan prospect went hitless in the Yankees’ 3-0 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays. But numbers tell only a fraction of the story. Vivas worked two walks, crossed home plate once, handled every defensive chance flawlessly, and most tellingly, exhibited the composure and batting eye that suggests this promotion won’t be fleeting.

With Oswald Peraza currently rehabbing and Oswaldo Cabrera facing fresh competition, Vivas’ introduction adds a compelling new dimension to the Yankees’ infield equation.

Journey to the Bronx after 601 games

Vivas’ path to pinstripes has been anything but direct. Acquired from Los Angeles in December 2023 alongside left-hander Victor González in the transaction that sent shortstop Trey Sweeney to the Dodgers, he caught attention throughout spring training but didn’t initially crack the Opening Day roster.

His Triple-A performance forced the issue. After posting a .319/.426/.436 slash line with a .862 OPS through 26 games at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, injury created opportunity. This time, he finally stepped between the lines at Yankee Stadium.

“[Tonight was] definitely something that I was expecting for a long time,” Vivas said through an interpreter after the game. “And finally got the opportunity. Very excited about that and happy for my family too, I’m sure that they’re watching back home. Good day.”

Defensive confidence marks the first play

If opening-night anxiety existed — and with 45,000 fans filling Yankee Stadium, it almost certainly did — it evaporated quickly. The very first pitch Max Fried delivered resulted in a grounder directed straight to Vivas at second base.

“Wow. You know immediately, right?” Vivas recalled. “First hit in the game, right at me. I did it, I did it correctly. And then immediately after that, I was like, ‘Okay. Let me slow down a little bit here.'”

From that moment forward, Vivas handled every defensive assignment with apparent ease, displaying the smooth, confident fielding that complemented his approach at the plate.

Elite batting eye on display

Though his first major league hit remains elusive, Vivas reached base twice via walks and impressed manager Aaron Boone with his approach across all three plate appearances.

“The last couple [of at-bats], two walks were excellent,” Boone said. “I thought the first at-bat where he punched out, I thought he put together a really good at-bat. Got beat with a good heater in the end, but I thought quality at-bats down there all night.”

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His debut followed a telling progression. In his initial at-bat, Vivas battled through several pitches before succumbing to a 97 mph fastball from Tampa Bay’s Ryan Pepiot. His second trip yielded a four-pitch walk, while his final plate appearance demonstrated veteran poise — fighting back from an 0-2 count to draw another walk by laying off four consecutive pitches outside the zone.

“The plan was just to look for a good pitch, and make good contact,” Vivas explained about his approach. “If I didn’t get a good pitch to hit, I was just gonna let it go by. I’m used to that. That’s what I wanted to do, I didn’t get one there to hit.”

In a contest dominated by Fried’s pitching masterclass, Vivas’ ability to reach base ahead of Paul Goldschmidt’s decisive three-run homer created the early offensive catalyst.

Extended Yankees audition ahead

Boone has clearly signaled that with Chisholm expected to miss significant time, Vivas isn’t joining the roster as a passive observer.

“I expect Jorbit to play a lot,” Boone stated before the game. “He’s playing really well down in Triple-A. He can really play second and he can swing the bat, so I’m looking forward to him getting a little bit of an opportunity here and hopefully taking advantage of that.”

That declaration carries implications for players like Peraza and Cabrera. Cabrera, previously viewed as LeMahieu’s potential successor at third, has cooled considerably after an impressive start. Meanwhile, Peraza works toward recovery, potentially returning to a more congested infield picture than he left.

Competitive infield landscape

The Yankees‘ infield suddenly features abundant options — not with veterans on immovable contracts, but with flexible young talent. Cabrera, Peraza, and Vivas all fall under the age of 26 and offer positional versatility. What distinguishes Vivas immediately is his disciplined approach. His .426 on-base percentage in Triple-A reflects consistent plate discipline rather than a statistical aberration.

With Chisholm sidelined, DJ LeMahieu continuing his rehabilitation assignment, and Cabrera now deployed across multiple positions, Vivas has a genuine opportunity to extend his stay by stringing together quality plate appearances. His 0-for-1, two-walk debut made that case more effectively than some multi-hit performances might have.

The future in pinstripes

While Vivas may not rank among baseball’s elite prospects or command widespread recognition, his Friday debut demonstrated he belongs at this level. Whether he establishes a long-term role depends on performance — and perhaps the availability of those ahead on the depth chart — but his opening statement resonated clearly: he can contribute immediately.

He managed pressure effectively. He demonstrated exceptional discipline. He reached base multiple times and contributed to a divisional victory. That represents more than just a debut — it constitutes an announcement.

As the Yankees continue their series against Tampa Bay on Saturday, Vivas seems likely to appear in the lineup again. For now, opportunity knocks. If he continues performing at this level, he may transform a temporary assignment into something far more permanent.

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