In a somber turn of events during Monday night's game against the Seattle Mariners, New York Yankees third baseman Oswaldo Cabrera suffered a severe left leg injury while scoring on a sacrifice fly in the ninth inning. As he attempted to avoid a tag at home plate, Cabrera's leg appeared to twist unnaturally, causing him to collapse in visible pain. Medical personnel quickly attended to him, placing his leg in an air cast before transporting him off the field via ambulance
The incident left the Yankees visibly shaken. Team captain Aaron Judge knelt beside Cabrera, offering words of comfort as medical personnel got ready to move him.
After the game, outfielder Trent Grisham expressed the team's sentiments, stating, "Waldo is the best of us."
Manager Aaron Boone added, "He's the best of people you are going to find" .
Despite the 11-5 victory over the Mariners, the focus remained on Cabrera's health. Known for his versatility, positive presence in the clubhouse and ever-present smile, Cabrera's injury is a significant blow to the team.
Boon confirmed it was an ankle injury, but had no further information after the game.
The team now faces the challenge of adjusting their infield lineup in Cabrera's absence. They are also without second baseman Jazz Chisholm with an oblique strain.
Veteran infielder DJ LeMahieu is set to return from the injured list Tuesday, but the plan was to have him play second base.
Judge was emotional as he spoke to reporters after the game. He said the way that Cabrera crawled back to the plate to make sure his run counted after suffering the injury says "everything about who he is."
"Before he got carted off, he just called me over to say, 'Did I score?' So it's kind of shows you what type of guy he is," Judge said. " Something like that happens, and that was on his mind through all the pain and everything."
