May 12, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; New York Yankees third baseman Oswaldo Cabrera (95) in pain after scoring a run against the Seattle Mariners during the eighth inning at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

Yankees' Oswaldo Cabrera Making First Start Since Brutal Injury

Originally posted on New York Yankees on SI
By Delilah Bourque | Last updated Mar 5, 2026 4:11 PM ET

The New York Yankees are finally getting one of their most missed players back from a lengthy injury recovery. Last season, in a May game against the Seattle Mariners, utility infielder Oswaldo Cabrera suffered a left ankle fracture and ligament damage that left him in a walking boot and missing the remainder of the 2025 season.

Now, Cabrera is getting his first Spring Training start. In a new interview with SNY Yankees, the 27-year-old outfielder announced his return to the field after the brutal injury.

"I think it's close in the next 24 hours," Cabrera said with a smile when asked about the timeline of his return. "Tomorrow I'm playing."

"Tomorrow I'm playing!"

- Oswaldo Cabrera announces to @M_Marakovits LIVE that he'll be back on the field tomorrow pic.twitter.com/kX0kO5a9wz
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) March 5, 2026

According to Greg Joyce of the New York Post Sports, Cabrera will be starting at shortstop. The Yankees have done several mixups at short throughout Spring Training as 2025's starting shortstop, Anthony Volpe, is undergoing recovery for a labrum tear that was surgically repaired ing October. Third baseman Ryan McMahon has also been starting games at the position.

Oswaldo Cabrera will be starting at SS tomorrow night, his first game action since breaking his ankle and suffering ligament damage last May.
— Greg Joyce (@GJoyce9) March 5, 2026

Cabrera could not contain his smile as he described his emotions about returning to the field to Meredith Marakovits.

"You can't imagine how excited I am after nine months without being on the field," he said. "I can't describe and I can't control my emotions right now."

For a player who has missed so much time and had such a long road to recovery, Cabrera said being able to get back on the field, even in a Spring Training game, feels like playing on the biggest stage in baseball.

"I already slide, I already did everything possible to check boxes to be ready for the game. Now, I just can't wait," he said. "Tomorrow feels like a World Series game for me, I'm so excited."

Cabrera went on to thank Yankees fans for their support, citing the Pinstripe faithful as one of the things that kept him going through his lengthy recovery.

"The Yankees fans, they mean everything because they were the number one who supported me every single day and made me feel like 'okay, I gotta come back and make this happen!'"

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This article first appeared on New York Yankees on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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