A familiar face is back in the Bronx. On Wednesday, infielder Oswaldo Cabrera was recalled from Triple-A. In a corresponding move, infielder Ryan McMahon was placed on the 10-day Injured List with an ear/throat infection.
Cabrera’s Devastating Injury
During a May 12 contest against the Seattle Mariners, outfielder Aaron Judge lifted a fly ball into right-center. Cabrera, on third base, tagged home to give the New York Yankees an 11–5 lead. However, on the play, disaster struck.
While avoiding the tag from catcher Cal Raleigh, Cabrera’s left ankle became trapped under his body. He immediately began pounding the ground in pain, while the Yankees’ medical team attended to him. Moments later, he was put on a stretcher and taken to a nearby hospital. He was discharged the following day and underwent surgery in New York later that week.
Cabrera’s 2026 Campaign
On March 6, Cabrera made his first spring training start against the Tampa Bay Rays at shortstop. However, the 27-year-old didn’t make the Yankees’ Opening Day roster, with Ryan McMahon and Amed Rosario expected to fulfill third base responsibilities.
As a result, Cabrera started the 2026 season in Triple-A Scranton Wilkes-Barre. He began the year slowly, hitting .175 through April. However, in May, he hit .275 with 17 RBI. He brought his hot streak into June, hitting .397 with 11 RBI in 73 at-bats. Ultimately, that production was enough for a call-up to the big leagues for the first time in over 13 months.
Life Before the Injury
Before his injury, Cabrera had established himself as the Yankees’ starting third baseman after hitting .375 in March and .282 in April. Across 34 total games in 2025, Cabrera hit .243 with one home run and 11 RBI.
In three prior seasons, Cabrera had mostly served as a utility player with appearances at every single position, except catcher. In 302 appearances in pinstripes, Cabrera is a .234 hitter with 20 home runs, 95 RBI, and 15 stolen bases. He’s also compiled 1.8 WAR during that stretch.
McMahon’s Future
In 2026, McMahon has struggled mightily at the plate. In 69 games, the 29-year-old has hit .210 with a .629 OPS. His strikeout problems have also persisted, with his 30.7% strikeout rate ranking in the ninth percentile.
Despite these shortcomings at the plate, his defense has remained elite, with an outs-above-average of three. That ranks in the 87th percentile, while his fielding run value of two ranks in the 69th. The multi-time Gold Glove award finalist will likely make his return in early July.
More New York Yankees Articles
More MLB Articles
Main Photo:
- Category
-
New York Yankees
