The New York Yankees designated utility player Oswaldo Cabrera for assignment on Wednesday to clear a 40-man roster spot for returning pitcher Clarke Schmidt, ending a tenure that began with a 2022 major league debut and a major recovery from a severe 2025 ankle fracture.
Wednesday’s roster moves arrived as the Yankees navigated late-season roster decisions, opting to part ways with a fan favorite rather than shift right-hander Fernando Cruz to the 60-day injured list according to club announcements. Cruz continues to deal with a partial UCL tear while attempting to pitch through discomfort. Instead, the club brought Schmidt back from the 60-day injured list, necessitating an immediate opening on the 40-man roster.
Oswaldo Cabrera Lands in DFA Limbo After Minor League Stint
Cabrera spent the bulk of the 2026 campaign with Triple-A Scranton/Briefly-Barre after finishing his rehabilitation from a gruesome ankle injury sustained on May 12, 2025, during a slide home against the Seattle Mariners. That play resulted in a fracture and ligament damage that required season-ending surgery just three days later.
“I had THOUSANDS of messages from my family, friends, fans, agents, coaches, teammates…—I simply had messages from EVERYONE. I dropped the phone on the bed and with a big SMILE on my face, the first thing I could say was “God, how blessed I am.” Maybe it’s because it’s only after going through something like this that you realize the love that surrounds us.”
Oswaldo Cabrera, via Mlbtraderumors
Following his recovery, the 27-year-old switch-hitter logged a productive season in the minors. Across 520 plate appearances with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, the outlet reported that Cabrera batted .289 with 19 home runs, 11 stolen bases, an 8.5% walk rate, and a 20.4% strikeout rate. He also appeared in four games for the Yankees earlier this year between June 24 and July 3, going hitless in nine at-bats with two starts at third base.
The Mechanics of the Seven-Day Waiver Window
With the trade deadline passed, the organization’s transaction rules place Cabrera into a standard seven-day window. During this period, the Yankees can trade him, place him on outright waivers, or release him. Because outfield and infield versatility has long been his calling card—having played every position on the diamond except catcher, pitcher, and center fielder in more than minimal doses—observers note he possesses traits that appeal to other clubs looking for affordable bench depth.
Industry analysis indicates that Cabrera’s low salary of $1.2 million for the season, remaining club control, and the fact that he retains one minor league option year beyond the current campaign bolster his chances of being claimed on outright waivers. Waiver priority follows the reverse standings, giving the Colorado Rockies first crack at him, followed by the Oakland Athletics, Los Angeles Angels, and other non-contenders.
Clarke Schmidt Returns to the Bullpen After Tommy John Surgery
The roster spot opened by Cabrera’s departure went directly to Clarke Schmidt, who returns to the major league club after missing more than a year following Tommy John surgery in June 2025. Schmidt established himself as a reliable starter between 2024 and 2025, posting a 3.07 ERA across 164 innings according to Pinstripe Alley.
Because insufficient time remains in the regular season to build up to a full starter’s workload, Schmidt will work out of the bullpen during the final two weeks.
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