Yankees bring back Oswaldo Cabrera, optioning Ryan McMahon to the injured list

The Yankees are turning to Oswaldo Cabrera again, calling him up to join the major-league roster after a recovery that has kept him out since a serious ankle fracture in May 2025. According to Yahoo Sports, the move gives New York a new option in the infield and on the utility circuit as it deals with a separate health issue in its regular lineup.

Cabrera, 27, has not appeared in an MLB game since the injury, which was suffered early last season in Seattle. The recall is being framed as his first major-league opportunity since that fracture, a chance for the organization to evaluate whether he is fully back to form after a layoff that lasted well beyond a typical injury-return window.

At the same time, the Yankees made a roster adjustment in front of Cabrera’s arrival. Yahoo Sports reported that third baseman Ryan McMahon was placed on the injured list with an ear and throat infection, a designation that removes a key bat from the team’s daily mix and reshapes the infield depth plan.

With McMahon sidelined, the Yankees will need to fill not only his defensive role at third base, but also the spot in their lineup that depends on his availability. Cabrera’s path to playing time will likely be shaped by how quickly the team can stabilize its infield assignments and how manager and coaches want to distribute workload while integrating a returning player.

Cabrera’s promotion also carries a practical value beyond the next game. Utility players often function as a stress reliever over the course of a long season, absorbing starts when matchups change and covering for off-days or minor ailments elsewhere on the roster. For New York, having a player with Cabrera’s versatility available can help reduce strain on the rest of the position group during a stretch where health can swing quickly.

For Cabrera personally, the immediate question is simple: can he handle the pace and timing of major-league action after a significant injury and a lengthy absence. The team will watch more than just whether he records hits or defensive plays, with daily factors like footwork, range, and comfort after movement likely to influence how often he plays and where he lands on the field.

The next step will be how the Yankees use Cabrera once he’s active, particularly whether he is deployed strictly as cover at third base or used in a broader utility role. The answers will matter for how stable the lineup looks in McMahon’s absence and how flexible New York can be if additional roster needs appear.