Yankees send slumping Oswaldo Cabrera to Triple-A
SEATTLE — Oswaldo Cabrera is headed back to the minors to find his offensive mojo.
The Yankees optioned Cabrera to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre after Wednesday’s loss to the Mariners, they announced Thursday, joining outfielder Franchy Cordero and reliever Matt Krook to make room on the roster for the expected returns of Giancarlo Stanton, Josh Donaldson and Tommy Kahnle on Friday in Los Angeles.
The 24-year-old Cabrera opened the season as the Yankees’ starting left fielder with a chance to solidify himself there after impressing in a late-season call-up last year while also providing some defensive versatility.
But Cabrera struggled offensively, batting .195 with a .538 OPS in 49 games.
That included going just 4-for-34 (.118) over his last 13 games since May 16.
Oswaldo Cabrera at third base for the Yankees against the Mariners on May 29, 2023. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
“Just not quite dominating the fastball like he should,” manager Aaron Boone said this week. “Usually the good swings he’s getting off are foul balls or maybe rolling over the top of one. But I think for him, it just comes down to really making sure — speaking as a hitter, you’re going through a tough stretch, you want to make sure you’re getting back to dominating the fastball and you gotta be able to control that pitch. That’s given him a little bit of trouble here lately.”
In the meantime, Isiah Kiner-Falefa has begun to thrive in the utility role, allowing the Yankees to send Cabrera to SWB with Donaldson set to return to third base.
The Yankees all but tipped their hand to the move earlier this week, when they had Kiner-Falefa make his first start at shortstop for a resting Anthony Volpe instead of Cabrera, who started at third.
Yankees third baseman Oswaldo Cabrera throws to first against the Mariners on May 29, 2023. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
It signaled that Kiner-Falefa was likely going to be the backup shortstop in the near future, which is now the case.
Before Thursday, Cabrera had started just four of the Yankees’ last 11 games, struggling to make adjustments with irregular playing time.
“Part of surviving and ultimately thriving here is to be able to deal with the successes and failures and being able to make adjustments as the league constantly is making adjustments to you,” Boone said. “Those are the separators.
“He has a great head on his shoulders and he’s a really good player. We’ll just continue to work with him to try to make those adjustments.”
Source: New York Post
