Baseball

Yankees Call Up Oswaldo Cabrera as Ryan McMahon Lands on IL

by
Richard Hayes
June 24, 2026

Waldo is officially back. The New York Yankees have announced the call-up of utilityman Oswaldo Cabrera, who has not seen action in a major-league game since fracturing his ankle early last season. The move comes as third baseman Ryan McMahon has been placed on the injured list due to a throat infection, a decision revealed by YES Network’s Jack Curry on Wednesday morning. This promotion presents a significant opportunity for the 27-year-old Cabrera to demonstrate his recovery from the injury that sidelined him since May 12, 2025, in Seattle.

Cabrera has shown flashes of talent at the Triple-A level, posting a batting line of .271/.330/.397 (88 wRC+) over 68 games and 294 plate appearances with the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. His season included seven home runs and six stolen bases, though it took him some time to regain his form. In his initial 23 games, he struggled with a disappointing .143/.207/.238 line, resulting in a 13 wRC+. However, he has since turned things around dramatically.

In his last 45 games, Cabrera has been on fire, hitting an impressive .331/.386/.472 with a 123 wRC+. This resurgence indicates that he needed time and consistent at-bats to find his rhythm. The Yankees are seizing the moment by promoting him during this hot streak, hoping he can contribute effectively at the major-league level.

In June alone, Cabrera boasts a remarkable .397 batting average with a .967 OPS and three home runs. He has also excelled against left-handed pitching, hitting .385 with a .965 OPS, which suggests he will see considerable playing time against southpaws as he joins the Yankees in the Bronx.

Regarding McMahon, Curry noted that he has not played since Sunday, allowing for his IL stint to be backdated. It appears that his absence from the lineup may be brief. This season, McMahon has struggled at the plate, posting a .210/.269/.360 line (75 wRC+) with eight home runs and 23 RBIs across 69 games and 202 plate appearances. With the move now official, the Yankees are hoping Cabrera can step up and fill the void left by McMahon’s temporary exit.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.

Richard Hayes

Richard Hayes is the go-to writer for all things soccer at 21Sports.com. His international perspective and in-depth knowledge of the game have made him a trusted voice in the industry. Richard’s experience covering major leagues around the world allows him to offer unique insights that resonate with both casual fans and die-hard enthusiasts. When not covering matches, Richard enjoys coaching youth soccer in his community.