The New York Yankees are facing a new problem before the start of the 2026 MLB regular season.
The New York Yankees received some good news on Friday afternoon, as utility man Oswaldo Cabrera saw live game action for the first time since his gruesome leg injury last May.
Cabrera has long been a key, versatile piece for the Yankees and possesses serious value due to his ability to play basically anywhere on the diamond.
However, while Cabrera's return was a feel-good story, it also creates a complicated issue for New York heading into the regular season.
More specifically, it makes things challenging for manager Aaron Boone, who will have to determine whether or not Cabrera will make the big-league roster.
Some feel that Cabrera breaking camp is already a foregone conclusion, but that is absolutely not the case. Not with the Yankees re-signing Amed Rosario and Paul Goldschmidt.
With Anthony Volpe starting the season on the shelf, Jose Caballero will be the everyday shortstop, and Rosario will serve as Ryan McMahon's primary backup at third base. Those are Cabrera's top two positions.
New York Yankees outfielder Oswaldo Cabrera. Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images.It's also important to remember that Rosario came up as a shortstop, and while he isn't a good defender, he can slide over there in a pinch.
Ben Rice, Jazz Chisholm, Caballero, McMahon, Goldschmidt and Rosario are all locks to make the Opening Day roster, meaning that Boone will probably ultimately have to choose between Cabrera and Randal Grichuk for that last positional player spot.
Yes, Cabrera has played outfield, but Grichuk has exclusively played outfield throughout his career and is a far superior bat to Cabrera, who owns a lifetime .631 OPS. If New York keeps him, it certainly won't be because of his offense.
Cabrera may have an edge due to his familiarity with the ballclub and because of how well-liked he is inside the clubhouse, but Boone needs to do what is best for the team.
And if we're being honest, things will become even more daunting for Cabrera once Volpe returns, because then there would really be no space for him in the infield.
It's a shame, because Cabrera is an incredible locker-room personality and has been a fixture in the Bronx for the last four years, but Boone may ultimately have to make the difficult decision to send him down to Triple-A to begin the 2026 campaign.
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