Oswaldo Cabrera and Estevan Florial have been called up, while Tim Locastro and Miguel Andujar have been sent down. With the Yankees in a severe slump—losing 12 out of 15—this could be seen as a drastic move. However, Aaron Boone said the organization has been considering the moves for several days, but after facing left-handed starters two days in a row the timing was better now with several right-handed starters opposing them in the days ahead.
Cabrera is a 23-year old switch-hitter, a natural infielder who plays second base, third base, and shortstop, but has quickly taken to the outfield with a handful of games in left field and right field. He was starting at third base Wednesday night in his major league debut.
After coming back from a shoulder injury that cost him over two months, Cabrera returned to AAA on July 12. Since then he batted .330 with 7 HR, 4 doubles, 2 triples, 23 RBI with 11 walks and 22 strikeouts.
While most of the attention on Yankees prospects this year has been on the top of the list players like Anthony Volpe or Oswald Peraza, Cabrera is someone who has had the attention of the Yankees and others since spring training.
One member of the Yankees organization called him a “sleeper” back in March, while scouts from other teams praised his versatility and his tools—one called him a prototypical “grinder”—as well as his surprising power, which has mainly shown from the left side.
Florial, now 24, has had a few cups of coffee in the majors now. But with Aaron Hicks floundering, Aaron Judge in right field again more often, and Harrison Bader still weeks away, Florial has an opportunity for more playing time as the Yankees look to upgrade their defense in center field.
While both players have hit well at AAA, it’s a mistake to lean on them too heavily to rescue the slumbering Yankees offense.
“We still have our core group to lean on,” Aaron Boone said.
The Yankees need struggling veterans like Gleyber Torres and Josh Donaldson to rebound, as well as Anthony Rizzo who has slumped after missing several games with a back issue.
And then there are the injured stars. DJ LeMahieu said he expects to avoid the IL and will be in the lineup Thursday against Toronto, while Giancarlo Stanton is close to going on a rehab assignment which could bring him back to the Yankees lineup next week.
Additionally, the Yankees recalled Ron Marinaccio and placed Clay Holmes on the Injured List. Holmes complained of back spasms while throwing last Sunday and Boone said it could just be the minimum 15-day stay on the IL.