The Yankees are taking a cautious approach with Oswaldo Cabrera after the versatile infielder suffered a broken ankle that required him to leave the field in an ambulance. Rather than rushing into surgery, the team wants multiple medical opinions first.
Cabrera saw a doctor in New York Thursday morning and underwent an MRI, but that’s just the beginning of his evaluation process. Greg Joyce of the New York Post reports that Cabrera “is scheduled to see a few more [doctors] to get multiple opinions on his ankle before any potential surgery.”
Manager Aaron Boone had previously indicated surgery was “in play” as early as Thursday, according to Joyce, but the Yankees clearly want to explore all options before making a final decision.
The severity of the injury will ultimately determine Cabrera’s timeline for return. If surgery becomes necessary, his 2025 season could be in jeopardy.
“If and when Cabrera does undergo the knife, what it looks like in there around his ankle — i.e. if there is any ligament damage or how complicated the fracture is — will determine whether or not he has any chance of playing again this season,” Joyce wrote.
Cabrera’s injury creates a significant hole in the Yankees’ infield. He’d been thriving as the everyday third baseman after DJ LeMahieu started the season injured. Now, with LeMahieu filling in for Jazz Chisholm Jr. at second base, the Yankees suddenly find themselves without a clear option at the hot corner.
“I think everything’s on the table until we get all the opinions,” Boone said Wednesday morning. “And then if we do surgery, what exactly is in there? And then you have a better idea of the timeline.”
The Yankees’ methodical approach suggests they’re hoping to find the best possible treatment plan that could potentially salvage part of Cabrera’s season, though they’ll need to address their third base situation regardless of his prognosis.
