The moment the New York Yankees’ utility star crumpled near home plate in Seattle, his face tightened with raw pain. He awkwardly twisted his ankle after scoring a run on a sacrifice fly. Even then, “Did I score?”— that’s all he could think about. Not the fact that he was put on a stretcher and taken off in the ambulance to Harbour View Hospital. The diagnosis revealed a fracture with ligament damage that required screws and plates.
It seemed like a crushing end to the 2025 season for Oswaldo Cabrera. But don’t try telling him that. Despite the severity of this season-ending injury, Cabrera is determined to beat the odds. “To be with my guys and watch them, I’m happy to watch what they are doing out there, but I want to be with them outside. That’s my motivation.”
In fact, Cabrera recently rolled into the Yankees’ locker room on a scooter. Yes! He stated that he expects to make a full recovery. As always, in his best spirits, he’s holding onto the possibility of his return while the Yankees are already dealing with a positional crisis. Cabrera had secured the third as his starting role before the injury.
But now, with Jazz Chisholm’s return, the Yankees turned to him to fill the third base. However, before his injury, he used to play second base, which is now filled by DJ LeMahieu. So, it’s too soon to say how third base works out for Chisholm. Right now, the Yankees are trying to make do with the best possible alternative until Cabrera returns. His absence is literally testing the team’s infield flexibility.
Oswaldo Cabrera just wheeled into the #Yankees‘ locker room on a scooter. In good spirits as always, he said he expects to fully recover from his fractured ankle.
Asked about playing again this season, he said “I want to.”
Asked if that’s realistic, he said there’s a “small…
— Gary Phillips (@GaryHPhillips) June 5, 2025
Before Cabrera’s injury, across 34 games, he averaged .243/.322/.308 with one home run and 11 RBIs. When he was asked about playing this season, he replied, “I want to.” Realistically, he added that there’s a “small possibility,” so even though optimism is slim, it’s there.
Reflecting on his teammates, he shared, “In those moments, you realize how they love you and how we care about each other inside here.” Since being on the sidelines, he admitted feeling “bored.” But on the brighter side, he’s getting more time with his dad and fiancée. He also found this stint as a chance to plan his wedding. Isn’t that nice?
Now, according to Cabrera, it’s just a matter of time till he makes the comeback. However, where does manager Aaron Boone stand on this?
Aaron Boone opens up about Cabrera’s chance of returning this season
Turns out, Yankees manager Aaron Boone is not yet betting on Cabrera’s comeback. Neither is he ruling it completely out.
“We’re not necessarily expecting it,” he said. “But you never know how he heals over the next couple of months. I know he’s going to pour everything into the rehab process.” Boone added.
Since the start, staying committed and hopeful has been Cabrera’s attitude. He wants to return sooner rather than later, but the Yankees won’t be rushing it, even if he feels healthy enough to play. Perhaps Cabrera will understand these odds. But he might not be ready to delay his return. “I want to be with them outside. That’s what I’m working toward.” Clearly, Cabrera is anything but a fan of full days of rehab and rest.
On other news, he’s not a fan of scooters either. “So bad. I don’t like it.”
The Yankees can’t share his assured returning timeline, but once he does, expect him to put up the same impressive performance and numbers. But such season-ending ankle injuries need more time than anticipated for a full-fledged return. So, a cautious Yankees team does make sense…
Still, Cabrera is pushing through everything he’s got. Be it the final stretch of the regular season or a shot at the October glory, he wants to be back.
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