The Cincinnati Reds have claimed utility player Oswaldo Cabrera off waivers from the New York Yankees, aiming to bolster their roster for the 2027 season. Cabrera, 27, was designated for assignment by the Yankees on September 16, 2026, to make room for pitcher Clarke Schmidt's return from the injured list. (mlb.com)
Cabrera's versatility is a significant asset; he has played every infield position and both corner outfield spots during his tenure with the Yankees. In 304 Major League games, he has a batting average of .232 with 20 home runs and 95 RBIs. (mlb.com)
After suffering a severe left ankle fracture in May 2025, Cabrera missed the remainder of that season. He spent most of the 2026 season in Triple-A, where he demonstrated strong performance by batting .288 with 19 home runs and 69 RBIs over 122 games. (mlb.com)
Reds manager Terry Francona expressed optimism about Cabrera's potential contribution, stating, "I think this is a guy we view that can possibly stay here and be on our club next year. The reports on him have been like off the charts as far as makeup. He’s played seven positions. We need to see where that goes and what we want to do after we talk to him. It seems like we can’t pass this one up." (mlb.com)
To accommodate Cabrera on the roster, the Reds made several moves: reliever Julian Garcia was placed on the 15-day injured list due to loose bodies in his right elbow, pitcher Julian Aguiar was recalled from Triple-A Louisville, and utility player Spencer Steer was transferred to the 60-day injured list. (mlb.com)
Cabrera's addition provides the Reds with a versatile player under club control for two more seasons, offering depth and flexibility as they prepare for the upcoming year.