Yankees Injured 3rd Baseman Sends Strong Message on Future Plans After Surgery

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JON VANKIN is a journalist and writer. He is the author of five nonfiction books and nine graphic novels. His writing has appeared in The New York Times Magazine, Salon, the L.A. Weekly and dozens of other publications and he has received numerous awards and honors including three New England Press Association awards.

In connection with his work, Vankin has made numerous media appearances on such networks as CNN, CNBC, FOX, the BBC and the CBC as well as hundreds of radio stations and podcasts.

Vankin in his wide-ranging career has also served as an editor of comic books and newspapers. He is the editor of the NEW YORK TIMES #1 BESTSELLING graphic novel GET JIRO! by the late, great Anthony Bourdain. He co-wrote the hit Off Broadway musical FOREVER DUSTY, and served as a sportswriter and editor at The Daily Yomiuri, the English-language edition of Japan's largest newspaper, the Yomiuri Shimbun, in Tokyo.

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Oswaldo Cabrera, the 26-year-old New York Yankees third baseman who battled his way from Venezuela — where he was signed by the Yankees at age 17 — to the big leagues, only to suffer a brutal ankle fracture that threatened his season and career on Monday, underwent surgery to repair the ankle on Thursday.

Cabrera was injured attempting to score in the ninth inning of a game in Seattle, with the Yankees leading the Mariners 10-5. On a fly ball to right field by Aaron Judge, Cabrera raced home from third. While swerving to avoid a potential tag play at the plate, he appeared to catch his cleats in the dirt, causing his left ankle to twist at an unnatural angle.

Oswaldo Cabrera leaves game on a stretcher
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - MAY 12: Oswaldo Cabrera #95 of the New York Yankees is taken away in an ambulance during the ninth inning against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on May 12, 2025 in... Steph Chambers/Getty Images

The frightening injury resulted in an ambulance being called onto the field. Cabrera was taken away strapped to a stretcher.

Cabrera, the following day, was placed on the 10-day injured list by the Yankees, though he is expected to miss months and almost certainly the remainder of the season.

But on Thursday night, Cabrera took to his Instagram account to post a powerful message to his supporters on what he hopes will be a quick comeback.

"My return to the field begins today," Cabrera declared, after recounting that he had received "THOUSANDS of messages from my family, friends, fans, agents, coaches, teammates."

Cabrera continued, offering gratitude to this who reached out to him.

"Thanks to you, I feel more motivated than ever. So, with the strength I've always had and all this beautiful energy that you all give to me, I tell you that I will return, and I will return even stronger to continue giving my best every day. I LOVE U ALL."

A post shared by instagram

In a later comment, Cabrera singled out two of his teammates, "my captain, Aaron Judge" and shortstop Anthony Volpe, "another of my favorite people," for heading straight to his hospital bedside without even stopping for a postgame meal.

The recuperating third baseman noted that other teammates also planned to visit him that first night, but access to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle was restricted at the time.

More MLB: Yankees Infielder Transported to Hospital in Ambulance After Suffering Horrific Injury

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About the writer

JON VANKIN is a journalist and writer. He is the author of five nonfiction books and nine graphic novels. His writing has appeared in The New York Times Magazine, Salon, the L.A. Weekly and dozens of other publications and he has received numerous awards and honors including three New England Press Association awards.

In connection with his work, Vankin has made numerous media appearances on such networks as CNN, CNBC, FOX, the BBC and the CBC as well as hundreds of radio stations and podcasts.

Vankin in his wide-ranging career has also served as an editor of comic books and newspapers. He is the editor of the NEW YORK TIMES #1 BESTSELLING graphic novel GET JIRO! by the late, great Anthony Bourdain. He co-wrote the hit Off Broadway musical FOREVER DUSTY, and served as a sportswriter and editor at The Daily Yomiuri, the English-language edition of Japan's largest newspaper, the Yomiuri Shimbun, in Tokyo.

Writers Page

JON VANKIN is a journalist and writer. He is the author of five nonfiction books and nine graphic novels. His ... Read more