SEATTLE — The New York Yankees’ 11-5 rout of the Seattle Mariners on Monday night should have been a celebration of offensive firepower and a step toward postseason contention. Instead, T-Mobile Park fell silent as third baseman Oswaldo Cabrera was taken off the field in an ambulance, his left ankle gruesomely injured in a ninth-inning play that left teammates, fans, and the baseball world holding their breath. The 26-year-old’s relentless hustle turned into a nightmare, and now the Yankees—and their fans—are left praying for their beloved “Cabby” as he faces an uncertain road ahead.
The incident unfolded in the top of the ninth with the Yankees leading 10-5. Cabrera, on third base, tagged up on a sacrifice fly by Aaron Judge. As Mariners left fielder Leody Taveras’ throw sailed toward home, Cabrera veered wide to avoid catcher Cal Raleigh’s tag. In a split-second twist, his left ankle caught awkwardly under his body as he lunged back for the plate, scoring the run but collapsing in agony. The stadium went quiet as Cabrera writhed in pain, clutching his leg. Medical staff rushed to his side, and after several minutes, they fitted his leg with an air cast and loaded him onto a gurney. With head trainer Tim Lentych by his side, Cabrera was taken to Harborview Medical Center for evaluation, leaving teammates like Judge and Trent Grisham visibly shaken.
“It’s a pretty serious situation,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said postgame, his voice heavy. “We’re just praying for our guy Cabby tonight and trusting he’s in good hands.” No further updates were available late Monday, but the scene—teammates huddling around home plate, a hushed crowd, and Cabrera’s stretcher exiting through center field—spoke to the gravity of the moment.
What makes this injury so gut-wrenching is Cabrera’s spirit. The Venezuelan utility man, hitting .243 with one homer and 12 RBIs in 33 games this season, is the heart of the Yankees’ clubhouse. Known for his infectious positivity, Cabrera’s hustle epitomized his approach. Even in a blowout, he was fighting to score, a testament to his all-out style. “Right before he got carted off, he called me over and said, ‘Did I score?’” Judge revealed. “That shows you what type of guy he is. In all that pain, his one thought was, ‘Did I help the team?’”
Teammates echoed Judge’s sentiment. Grisham, who hit two homers in the win, fought tears as he spoke. “Oswaldo’s the best of us,” he said. “He shows up every day with the right attitude, plays hard, and he’s the best person off the field. We love him.” Fans flooded social media with support, one writing, “Prayers up for the easiest Yankee to root for—he hustles and plays with a smile.” Another called him “the soul of this team,” reflecting the outpouring of love for a player who’s become a fan favorite since his 2022 debut.
Cabrera’s journey makes this moment even tougher. Signed by the Yankees at 16, he clawed his way to the majors, earning a reputation as a versatile sparkplug. His .247 average with 24 extra-base hits in 2024 cemented his role as the everyday third baseman after DJ LeMahieu’s injury. Monday’s game saw him go 1-for-4, his single in the ninth setting up the fateful play.
The injury’s impact on the Yankees (24-17) is significant. With LeMahieu set to return, he’ll likely slot into third, but Cabrera’s absence leaves a void. Oswald Peraza and Jorbit Vivas filled in late Monday, but neither matches Cabrera’s spark. Fans are already speculating about trade targets, with one noting, “Third base is a non-negotiable need now—DJ and Peraza won’t cut it long-term.” The Yankees’ depth will be tested, but Boone remained focused on Cabrera’s health, not roster moves.
For fans, this is a punch to the gut. Cabrera’s injury overshadows a win that featured homers from Grisham, Anthony Volpe, and Jazz Chisholm Jr. The replay, shared widely online, is tough to watch—his ankle twisting unnaturally as he hit the dirt. Yet, Cabrera’s competitive fire, asking Judge if he scored while in agony, is the kind of moment that defines him.
As the Yankees prepare for Tuesday’s game against the Mariners, with Max Fried on the mound, the focus remains on Cabrera. Will he return this season? Can the Yankees rally without their emotional leader? For now, the baseball world waits for news from Harborview, hoping for a miracle for a player who embodies the game’s heart. Get well, Cabby—New York is behind you.
