Oswaldo Cabrera not ruling out late-season Yankees return after gruesome injury: ‘Small possibility’

Oswaldo Cabrera was back at Yankee Stadium on Thursday, riding a scooter into the clubhouse as he begins the rehab from his broken left ankle suffered last month.

While signs point to the infielder being sidelined for the entire season with the injury, the always-positive Cabrera said he’s not ruling anything out.

“They told me there’s a small possibility, but I’m an optimistic guy,’’ Cabrera said before the Yankees’ 4-0 win over the Guardians. “I feel like good things can be on my way. I’m gonna work to get there.”

Aaron Boone and the Yankees have no doubt of that.

Oswaldo Cabrera sustained the injury during the Yankees’ win over the Mariners on May 12, 2025.

Oswaldo Cabrera exited in an ambulance after sustaining an injury during the Yankees’ win on May 12, 2025.

“I don’t think we’re necessarily expecting it, but you never know how he heals in the next couple months,” Boone said when asked if there was a chance of Cabrera returning. “One thing with Oswaldo is there’s not a better person who loves this as much as him. He’ll pour himself into rehab.”

Cabrera suffered the gruesome injury racing to the plate as he made an awkward move toward the plate while avoiding Cal Raleigh’s tag attempt on an Aaron Judge sacrifice fly to right field.

He managed to score the run in the win in Seattle on May 12, but immediately went down in pain.

Asked if he’d do anything different on the play, Cabrera said, “Maybe a slide.”

Cabrera said plates and screws were inserted into the ankle during the surgery and he started to get over the mental hurdles of the injury “right away.”

Without Cabrera, whose performance was largely up and down at third base prior to the injury, the Yankees have most recently turned to Jazz Chisholm Jr. since his return from the IL with a right oblique strain, with DJ LeMahieu more comfortable at second base.

Marcus Stroman tossed two innings of live batting practice Thursday at the Stadium, with Boone saying the right-hander is being built up as a starter.

“We’re getting him ready to start,’’ Boone said. “That’s the plan. … It’s about building him up to start.”

Stroman has been sidelined with left knee inflammation since last appearing in a game on April 11.

His outing Thursday was another positive step for the right-hander, who also threw live BP on Saturday at Dodger Stadium.

“It seems back-to-back times his knee was in a good spot,’’ Boone said. “I think he’s been sharp both times.”

Marcus Stroman throws a pitch during the Yankees’ game on April 11, 2025.

Stroman threw two innings and about 40 pitches.

“He said he felt good physically,’’ Boone said. “We’ll see how he gets through these couple days and then see what’s next.”

That could be another live batting practice or the beginning of a minor league rehab assignment.

The main issue now is for Stroman’s knee to stay healthy.

He experienced discomfort in a similar setting on May 9 in Tampa, which slowed his comeback and had been limited to bullpen sessions until facing hitters again in Los Angeles.

He’s pitched just 9 ¹/₃ innings this year. Stroman has a vesting option that would guarantee him $18 million next year if he hits 140 innings this season.

Giancarlo Stanton will remain in Tampa the rest of the week, Boone said, as he recovers from tendinitis in both elbows that’s sidelined him since the spring.

He’s been taking live batting practice at-bats.

He could begin a minor league rehab assignment next week.

Jasson Domínguez was back in the lineup Thursday, going 0-for-4, after he left Sunday’s win over the Dodgers with a left thumb contusion after jamming his thumb while sliding into second base on a stolen base attempt.

Boone said Domínguez had been given the green light to return Wednesday and he didn’t anticipate any restrictions for the left fielder.

Prior to the injury, Domínguez was in the midst of a strong 20-game run, with seven extra-base hits and a .903 OPS in that stretch.