According to the YES Network’s Jack Curry, the New York, Yankees are sending 3B Ryan McMahon to the injured list due to an ear/throat infection. In a corresponding move, the Yankees are recalling Oswaldo Cabrera from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Cabrera has not appeared in the Majors since fracturing his left ankle in a game against the Seattle Mariners last May. In 68 minor league games, Cabrera has a slash line of .271/.330/.397 with 7 home runs, 10 doubles and 35 RBI’s.
Cabrera is being promoted to the Yankees. McMahon is going on the IL with an ear/throat infection. #yankees
— JackCurryYES (@JackCurryYES) June 24, 2026
McMahon to IL
Quick IL Stint
McMahon, in his age 31 season and last before he hits free agency, has not quite been able to recover from a horrible start to the season that saw his average dip to .167 on May 1. Though he’s still one of the best fielding third basemen in the league, finishing top three in Gold Glove voting in each of the last 5 season, his OPS right now is a mere .629 (which would be a career low). McMahon’s bat is clearly one of (if not the) biggest liabilities in the Yankees’ lineup, but that isn’t to say that Cabrera is the final solution at third base.
McMahon hasn’t appeared on the field since Sunday, so his IL stint will be backdated a few days. This means that Cabrera’s time back in the Bronx is probably limited, due to McMahon only being out for illness. This gives Cabrera about a week or so to re-acclimate to big league pitching that he hasn’t seen in over 13 months, so odds are that McMahon will remain the Yankees’ primary third baseman upon his return.
Opportunities Arise
McMahon’s absence also gives an opportunity to Amed Rosario, whose .768 OPS is earning him occasional starts at third, especially against left-handed pitching. With Cabrera being a switch-hitter, he and Rosario will likely trade starts at third while McMahon is out. Though the Yankees aren’t necessarily getting an upgrade at third base, it’s safe to say that the players and fans alike will all have smiles on their faces when Cabrera finally makes his long-awaited return to the Yankees.
Main Photo: John Jones- Imagn Images
