The move follows Cabrera’s designation for assignment earlier in the week, clearing a roster spot as the Yankees activated right-hander Clarke Schmidt from the injured list.
Clarke Schmidt Returns From Tommy John Surgery
It took 14 and a half months of rehabilitation, but right-hander Clarke Schmidt is officially back on a Major League mound. The Yankees activated Schmidt from the injured list prior to Wednesday’s game against the Twins following his recovery from Tommy John surgery. He stepped onto the field in the seventh inning at Minnesota, striking out two batters and surrendering two bloop singles in his first big league appearance of 2026.
Before an elbow injury shut him down in early July 2025, Schmidt posted a 4-4 record with a 3.32 ERA across 14 starts. Across parts of six seasons in New York, the 30-year-old right-hander holds a career record of 23-24 with a 3.82 ERA. Manager Aaron Boone indicated that Schmidt will initially work out of the bullpen to manage his workload and build back strength.
Schmidt acknowledged that watching games from afar left him itching to return. While his pitch count will be closely monitored without back-to-back appearances right away, Boone noted that the pitching staff targets shorter bursts and quick recovery windows as the right-hander eases back into high-stakes action.
Oswaldo Cabrera Changes Organizations After Waivers Claim
To create a 40-man roster spot for Schmidt’s return, the Yankees designated Oswaldo Cabrera for assignment.
Signed originally as an international amateur free agent out of Venezuela in 2015, Cabrera made his major league debut in 2022. Across 304 games from 2022 to 2026, he compiled a .232/.292/.343 slash line with 20 home runs and a .635 OPS. His defensive flexibility stood out across the diamond; Cabrera has played every position on the field except for catcher.
The past two seasons tested that durability. In May 2025, Cabrera suffered a fractured left ankle while sliding into home plate at T-Mobile Park in Seattle, an injury that required an ambulance and sidelined him for the remainder of that season. He reached three years of service while on the injured list, qualified for arbitration, and agreed to a $1.2MM salary for 2026, sitting just above this year’s $780K minimum.
After returning to action this year, Cabrera appeared in only three games for the Yankees, going hitless in 11 plate appearances while spending the bulk of his time with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Down on the farm, he batted .288 with a .345 on-base percentage and a .444 slugging percentage over 564 plate appearances.
Roster Adjustments in Cincinnati and New York
The acquisition gives the Reds an adaptable bench option who still retains a minor league option for next year. To accommodate Cabrera on the 40-man roster, Cincinnati transferred infielder and outfielder Spencer Steer to the 60-day injured list. Steer has been sidelined since July with a right wrist sprain and is making $4MM this year.
Alongside the Cabrera claim, the Reds recalled right-hander Julian Aguiar and placed righty Julian Garcia on the 15-day injured list due to right elbow loose bodies retroactive to September 17. Garcia is scheduled to undergo a procedure to address the issue.
In New York, Cabrera leaves behind a reputation for high energy and strong clubhouse leadership. Described by broadcasters as a dependable presence among teammates and fans alike, his departure drew high praise from the Yankee skipper.
I feel like I’m blessed to have a lot of guys on this team I just admire and respect and love doing the job with on a daily basis. And Oswaldo’s right there at the top of that list. Just how he goes about things, how he treats people, the teammate he is.
Boone expressed confidence that Cabrera will go on to have a successful career as he joins a new club in Cincinnati for the final stretch of the regular season.
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