The Cincinnati Reds claimed infielder and outfielder Oswaldo Cabrera off waivers from the New York Yankees, according to official announcements from both clubs. Alfre Alvarez of Con Las Bases Llenas reported the claim prior to the official announcement, as detailed by Mlbtraderumors.
Reds Claim Oswaldo Cabrera From Yankees
The move marks the end of Cabrera’s tenure with the Yankees, an organization he first signed with as an international amateur free agent out of Venezuela in 2015. This transaction represents Cabrera’s first time changing organizations in his career. To accommodate the addition on the 40-man roster, the Reds transferred infielder and outfielder Spencer Steer to the 60-day injured list. Additionally, Cincinnati recalled right-hander Julian Aguiar and placed righty Julian Garcia on the 15-day injured list with right elbow loose bodies, retroactive to September 17.
Yankees DFA and Roster Moves
Cabrera’s departure follows his designation for assignment by the Yankees. New York had designated the 27-year-old utilityman for assignment to clear a 40-man roster spot for the return of right-hander Clarke Schmidt, who was activated from the injured list following his recovery from Tommy John surgery.
Before being placed on waivers, Cabrera had been the second-longest tenured player in the Yankees organization, trailing only Aaron Judge. Across parts of five Major League seasons from 2022 to 2026, Cabrera appeared in 304 or 305 games for New York, producing a .232/.292/.343 slash line with 20 home runs and a .635 OPS. Known for a bubbly personality and uplifting energy in the clubhouse, Cabrera earned praise from teammates and manager Aaron Boone. Boone noted that Cabrera was a favorite of fans and teammates, describing him as a player who is at the top of the list for how he goes about things and treats people. YES Network’s Jack Curry also described Cabrera as a gem of a human being,
according to Yahoo Sports.
Injury Recovery and Minor League Performance
Cabrera’s career with the Yankees was impacted by a significant injury in May 2025, when he suffered a left ankle fracture and ligament damage while avoiding a tag and sliding into home plate during a game against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park. The injury required surgery and sidelined him for the remainder of the 2025 season.
After crossing three years of service while on the injured list, Cabrera qualified for arbitration and agreed with the Yankees on a $1.2 million salary for 2026, an increase from the previous year’s $780,000 minimum. Although he returned to play three games with the Yankees in 2026, going hitless in 11 plate appearances, he spent the majority of the season on optional assignment with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. In 564 plate appearances at Triple-A this season, he batted .288 with a .345 on-base percentage, a .444 slugging percentage, and a .790 OPS across 122 games.
Defensive Versatility and Future Outlook with Cincinnati
Valued for his defensive versatility, Cabrera has made appearances at nearly every position on the baseball field. Throughout his Major League career, he has started games at third base, second base, first base, shortstop, right field, and left field, while also making appearances in center field and as a pitcher, leaving catcher as the only position he has not played.
For the Reds, acquiring Cabrera provides added depth across multiple spots. He retains a minor league option for next year and has six full seasons of club control remaining. Because he played sparingly in the majors during the 2026 season, he can potentially be retained via arbitration for a price near the league minimum, and he remains under club control ahead of future free agency.
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